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*Trigger warning* : This chapter contains descriptions of rape. Not graphic at all, but I wanted to alert anyone just in case.

* * * * * * * * * *

Eagle Goodblanket sat calmly in the interrogation room, arms crossed against his chest as he waited for one of the policemen to enter. It felt like he’d been waiting an hour, and there was a cold draft in the room that he didn’t like. Strangely enough there were no vents or a window, so it seemed pretty peculiar to him. Sitting on a stainless steel chair that was bolted to the floor, he focused hard on the two-way mirror.

Crime shows and Hollywood films had taught him that detectives watched from behind, studying his demeanor and overall body language. But Eagle wasn’t nervous in the slightest, as he had already confessed and knew the repercussions he was facing.

They’d put him in prison for certain, but as for how long he just didn’t know. The thought of prison itself didn’t scare him, but the idea of being away from his wife and son made him feel sick to his stomach. Despite all that had gone down the past four weeks, they were still a family and he loved them dearly. Being away from Rita would hurt the most, as she was the love of his life and they’d never spent longer than a day apart.

But the separation from Lucas would hurt like hell, too. He had after all, killed Andy because of Lucas, so the love he felt for his son went far beyond words. The bond they had was unbreakable, and although Lucas was a man now, he was still quite young and in need of guidance. The kind of guidance that only a father could give, not to mention the outings they took as part of their father-son days.

Their early morning hunts and fishing jaunts weren’t just a chance to score food for the dinner table, but a very part of their cultural identity. It also gave them a chance to harmonize with nature, and put into use their survival skills during overnight trips into the woods. Memories of their last time out together began to flood his mind, and it was then that he realized it would be years until they had the chance to do it again. He was still deep in thought about Lucas when an unfamiliar person suddenly entered, and shifting his gaze to the suited-up man, Eagle gazed at him with steady, unwavering eyes.

Although a Native just like Eagle, he was far too clean-cut. An apple – red on the outside, but white on the inside. Half breed, by the looks of it. Grew up in the white world, Eagle could tell. Hair cut real short, no doubt to fit with in with a corporate environment. Court-appointed, huh? What a joke, Eagle thought, and eyes filled with mistrust, looked the man up and down as he walked closer.

“Mr. Goodblanket?” Looking right back at Eagle, the thirty-something attorney waited for conformation.

Nodding in reply, Eagle’s jaw was set, face showing not even a shred of emotion.

“My name is Christopher Paulson, and I’m a court-appointed attorney.” Taking a seat across from Eagle, he settled uncomfortably into the metal chair. “I’ll need to ask you some questions before the police begin their interrogation.”

“Already gave my confession,” Eagle flatly said. “So book me in, already. Got a phone call I’d like to make.”

“And you’ve got every right to make that call,” the attorney told him. “But a short interview before the police come in may be of advantage to you, at least in the case of a homicide investigation.”

“What’s there to investigate?” He flatly asked. “I killed a man, and I’m not sorry for it.”

“Not even a little?”

Eagle just stared in response.

“But you murdered a man in cold blood, Mr. Goodblanket. Don’t you feel any remorse whatsoever, or is it customary for you to so ruthlessly take another human being’s life?”

“Not much human about Andy Redbird, he was a demon in disguise.”

“What made him so terrible?” Clearly interested to hear more, the attorney slightly leaned in. “I grew up off the reservation myself, so you can fill me in on what kind of a man he was.”

“You’ve read his file,” Eagle replied. “He was in and out of jail for years, once for molesting his own daughter, so it’s not exactly a secret what a shitbag he was.”

“But I’d like to hear it from you,” Christopher said. “You’ve already made your confession and have nothing to hide, so why not share?”

“Well clearly he was a child molester,” Eagle firmly stated. “He was also a wife beater, drunk, and a criminal of all sorts.”

“And what kind of crimes, besides child molesting, in particular did Mr. Redbird commit?”

“He broke into the tribal office a couple of times. Shoplifted at the supermarket out near the highway on the regular, and was known to sell booze to a lot of the underage kids out here on the rez.”

“So petty crime, mostly,” the attorney flippantly replied. “Seems to me like murder is a whole lot worse.”

“He hurt kids,” Eagle retorted. “In various ways, and that’s okay with you?”

“I never said that.”

“So why focus on the petty crimes?” Voice rising escort with anger, Eagle heavily frowned. “He brought darkness to the reservation. He was like a cancer to the community as a whole.”

“He wasn’t a great guy and I get that, but did it make it right for you to take the man’s life?”

“He molested my boy!” Eagle trembled with anger. “Do you understand how that made me feel? Knowing my son was in jeopardy of losing his manhood?”

“And during the act, did your son fight back or just give in to what was happening?”

“He fought back, of course.” Eagle shot back. “What the hell kind of question is that?”

“So he tried to penetrate your son, but in the process Lucas was able to overpower him?”

“He fought back.”

“Mr. Redbird wasn’t a small man,” the attorney stated. “I saw a photo of him, he was what I would call burly.”

“My son has always been strong,” Eagle quickly replied. “And I’m more than certain that his state of panic released an adrenaline rush to get him out of danger.”

“How old was your son when the assault took place?”

“Thirteen.”

“And he fought back against a full-grown man at the tender age of thirteen years old?”

“I told you, he’s strong. Always has been, even from an early age.”

“Hard to believe,” the attorney stated. “Thirteen-year-old boys don’t normally have enough strength to push off a guy twenty-two years older than them, with the physique of a chunky lumberjack.”

“I taught my son to defend himself.” Eagle’s voice was now on edge, expression tense as he stared the attorney down.

“Well I’m certain that you did, but you gotta admit it’s a bit far-fetched, Mr. Goodblanket.”

“Not for me.”

“Just doesn’t seem likely, is all. A man of that size? Your son would have been completely overpowered from the very beginning.”

“My son was nearly six feet by his fourteenth birthday. By the time he turned seventeen, he’d shot up to six-foot-two.”

“But still, he didn’t have the weight to compete with what Andy was carrying around. Tall or not, he just wouldn’t have had the upper hand in that situation.”

“I never said he had the upper hand. But he didn’t just give in, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”

“So he was raped, then.”

“He was taken advantage of, yes.”

“Just trying to clarify.” Putting pencil to yellow legal pad on the table, the attorney quickly jotted down some notes. “And how many times would you say, was your son penetrated by Andy Redbird?”

“It happened once,” he curtly replied.

“And you’re certain of that because…”

“I already told you, I read it all in his journal.”

“But sexual abuse survivors often forget the details, Mr. Goodblanket. Due to the incredible trauma they endure, they block out and alter memories, or completely rearrange the events altogether.”

“It happened once, just like I told you.” Eagle’s eyes had gone flinty with anger.

“Look, I’m just here to try and help you build a stronger case. If we can prove that Andy Redbird actually had a sexual relationship with your son -“

“A sexual relationship!” Eagle sprung to his feet, eyes wild with anger as he shouted out words. “He got raped, and it never happened again because he kept clear of the monster after the assault. There was no relationship. It happened one time, and he was a kid. My son isn’t a liar, he wouldn’t make up a story!”

“I’m not saying he’d change details on purpose.”

“He didn’t change them at all.” Eagle spoke through gritted teeth.

“Please calm down. I’m just saying that maybe it happened more than once. Sometimes they block out entire chunks of time…”

“My son did not have continued sexual relations with that child molestor!” Eagle boomed out. “He was raped, you understand? He was a boy, and taken advantage of.”

“Or maybe he was coerced,” the attorney suggested.” The promise of candy, money, alcohol or even drugs could lure an adolescent boy into doing it again and again. Especially here on the reservation.”

“No. Not my Lucas.” Eagle’s lips were flattening now, glare turning red hot.

“Hard to believe, I know. But some boys his age would go for that. Just a poor rez kid, with the lure of easy cash…he had already done it once, so why not again?”

Eagle’s hand reached out in a flash, snatching the attorney by the collar of his shirt. He yanked the man forward harshly, tightening his grip so that the collar further constricted against his neck. Then glaring straight into his eyes, he began to speak.

“My son did not sell himself, he was fucking raped, you piece of shit! He did not and would never whore his own body for alcohol or drugs!” Spittle flew from Eagle’s mouth, teeth bared and nostrils flaring as he got right up into the other man’s face. “Now I suggest you end this line of questioning quick, before I do something I’ll actually regret.”

Like a rag doll in the grip of a giant the attorney was helpless, eyes wide and round with shock. His face had turned escort bayan ashen, a visible pulse twitching in his neck, then suddenly two cops burst into the interrogation room, one wielding a baton while the other held a gun.

“Let him go, Eagle.” The cop on his left with baton stood ready to charge. “Don’t wanna have to use this, but I will if you don’t let him go.”

Eyes still locked on the attorney’s face, Eagle glared so powerfully that an actual heat could be keenly felt. His hold on the man didn’t loosen yet went even tighter, and now effectively choking the man by his own collar, Eagle seemed determined to keep him locked in his grasp.

“Last chance.” The cop with the gun spoke now, tightening his finger on the trigger as he prepared to shoot. “Relinquish your hold immediately.”

Not wanting to yet knowing he was forced, Eagle did slightly loose his grip. Yet instead of simply releasing he shoved him back, causing the man to topple backward and fall.

“What the hell, Eagle!” The cop with baton called out, then hurried to assist the attorney in getting him up and off of the floor.

Face red with embarrassment the attorney waved him off, then adjusted his tie awkwardly as he eyed Eagle with wary eyes. Following his gaze, the cop looked at Eagle with a questioning gaze.

“You cool now, Eagle? Or will we have anymore trouble?” The cop with baton asked as he slid it slowly into his holster.

“I’m fine,” Eagle replied. “But I don’t want this little squirt asking me anymore questions.”

“We’ll have the detective take over, then.”

After waving in a plain clothes officer, one of the cops ushered out the attorney, who took one last look at Eagle before exiting the interrogation room. As the door closed behind them, the plainclothes officer, a uniformed cop, and Eagle were left alone to speak in privacy. The plainclothes officer and Eagle shared a moment of simply checking one another out, before both of them gave nods of respect.

“Anything I can get for you before we begin?” Pale faced with red hair and a face full freckles, the detective’s tone was polite and professional. “Coffee, water…”

“No, I’m fine,” Eagle replied, and lowering himself into a stainless steel chair, he just calmly sat.

Following suit, the detective and uniformed cop also sat down, taking a seat in their chairs which were positioned on the opposite side of the table.

“Now we’d like to keep the handcuffs off, but another outburst and we’ll have to restrain you.”

“Understood.” He blinked once, then twice, before waiting for the detective to begin.

“I’m Detective Paulson, and I work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They brought me here to assist tribal police with your case. Sitting next to me is Officer Blackweasel, with whom I believe you are already well acquainted.”

“We grew up together,” Eagle replied. “He’s a good man, you’re lucky to have him here on the force.”

Detective Paulson gave a weak smile and nodded, then placed a tape recorder on the stainless steel table between them. Tapping his finger against the RECORD button, the detective then looked at Eagle expectantly.

“So tell me, Mr. Goodblanket, how you came to discover that your son had been molested by Andy Redbird.”

“I found a journal in his bedroom,” Eagle stated. “It was all there, for me to read in detail.”

“And when was the journal entry created?”

“A few months before his fourteenth birthday.”

“And when exactly did you find this journal?” The detective asked.

“Almost a year ago, now.”

“Give me an exact month.”

“November,” he flatly stated.

“And was your son aware that you had found his journal?”

“No he wasn’t.”

“Well how can you be so sure?”

“Because he had it well hidden, somewhere he didn’t expect anyone to ever go.”

“And where was that exact location?”

“Under a loose floorboard in his bedroom closet.”

“And how did you come to discover this particular hiding space?”

“It was purely by chance,” Eagle replied. “I had just purchased some brand new boots for him. He’d just gotten a job at the lumber mill, and I decided to switch out his old ones, because they were worn through the sole. Wanted it to be a surprise, so that when he went to the closet in the morning he would find them.”

“So when you were in his bedroom closet switching out the shoes, that was when you discovered his diary…”

“It was a journal.”

“And so it was then that you discovered your son had been sexually compromised.”

“Yes.”

“And so what happened after you read the diary entry?” Detective Paulson questioned.

“Well of course I was incredibly disturbed,” Eagle gruffly stated. “No father ever wants to hear that his son was sexually assaulted by a man.”

“What about if it was a woman?” The detective looked at him hard. “Would you still have murdered, then?”

“Child molestation is disgusting, regardless of the predator’s sex. But I won’t bayan escort answer hypothetical questions, so if we could stick to what actually happened that’d be great.”

“Okay.” Detective Paulson lightly nodded, then scribbled some notes on his pad before continuing on. “So how long would you say it took, before you decided that you were going to kill Andy Redbird?”

“Well I knew immediately,” Eagle replied. “Soon as I finished reading, I was already planning it out in my head.”

“So it was premeditated.”

“Of course,” he harshly replied. “A guy rapes your kid, you plan out his execution.”

“So let’s move forward to the actual act,” Officer Paulson said. “Tell me how you did it, Eagle. Just describe to the best of your ability how you took Andy Redbird’s life.”

Eagle looked from the red-headed detective to the uniformed officer, then back again before pushing out a heavy breath. Although he wasn’t sorry in the least about what he’d done, he still didn’t like reliving that particular day. But it was clear to see he had no choice, and mentally taking himself back, began to immerse himself in a time that was now elapsed. The sights, the smells, the sounds – it all came back to him strikingly quick. It was only then that Eagle finally began to speak, unleashing the details of that fateful day.

* * * *

The scent of lumber filled Eagle’s nose as he put the car in park, positioning it right at the entry to Lucas’s work site. Filled with the sound of saw blades slicing into timber, the air surrounding them was filled with an energy that positively brimmed with productiveness. The busy mill brought in lots of cash, which provided Lucas with a steady income of which he was proud.

Eagle was very proud of him too, and as his son exited the truck, he watched on with a gleam in his eye. The kid truly had become quite a man, and Eagle couldn’t have been more pleased with the number of advancements that Lucas had made. The lumber mill gave him good, honest work, and between that and him going to college, it left no room for the boy to get into trouble.

With an aluminum lunch box in one hand and a thermos in the other, Lucas was well prepared for the day ahead, which would last eight hours before he returned home. Plenty of time for Eagle to do what needed to be done, and as he came to the realization of the serious business he had to take care of, he reminded himself of the whole reason behind it.

Gazing deeply at his son, he took in a face nearly identical to his own. Both had strong, regal features that dominated their high-boned faces, and even their coloring was remarkably similar. A reddish-brown tint, their skin had a hue that was reminiscent of the red-tinted clay which came from the earth. They both wore their hair long too, yet while Lucas often chose to rock the two traditional braids which reached waist-length, Eagle preferred to keep his slicked back into a ponytail.

Having inherited his height from his father, Lucas stood six-feet-two, and just as handsome as his old man, he’d also inherited the ladykiller gene. Smiling softly at this, Eagle thought back to how he had been at Lucas’s age. Rita had been in his life since he was nineteen years old, but they hadn’t gotten married until four years later. He’d known from the first moment he had seen her that she was the one, yet still had struggled with maintaining faithfulness.

The drinking and drugs he’d taken back then certainly hadn’t helped at all, and as result, had found himself in quite a number of compromising positions. Yet out of all that deplorable behavior, God had chosen to bring him a son, and although he wasn’t proud of the way in which Lucas had been conceived, he felt extremely blessed to have the son he had always wanted.

Ready to get a start on his work day, Lucas gave his father a warm goodbye. “Thanks for the ride, dad. Should only be a couple more days before I can fix up my truck.”

“We can work on it together if you like,” Eagle offered. “Saturday morning we’ll spend a few hours getting her all patched up, then grill up some burgers and enjoy them with mom.”

“Sounds great, let’s definitely do that.”

“You have a good day then, son.” Eagle waved, yet just as Lucas turned around to walk away, a strong tug in Eagle’s heart made him want to say more.

“Lucas?”

Once again facing his father’s truck, he waited expectantly for his father to speak.

“You know that I love you, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“And that I’d do anything for you…”

Picking up on the keen emotion in his father’s voice, Lucas gazed deep into his eyes. There was something there that usually wasn’t, a kind of sadness or mental distress, but over what he just wasn’t quite sure. It wasn’t unusual for his father to show that he cherished him, but he usually did it in a different way. His father was very masculine, and although he wasn’t afraid to say I love you, he just wasn’t the type to emphasize it.

Father and son hunting and fishing trips were one of the ways he showed Lucas that he cared, but he also made a point of taking his son out to various homes around the rez. With so many broken down and in need of dire repair, Eagle enjoyed volunteering his time to fix-up as many houses as he could.

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