Chapter 3: Good Girl Gone Bad

Margaret Chin-zee was a very beautiful young girl who had grown up with the best of everything her parents could afford. Her father was an entrepreneur. He worked very hard as an accountant while running a mechanic shop and selling car-parts. He was generating enough income; so his wife could afford to stay home and take care of their three children. Margret was the first child for her parents, who were set on seeing to it that all three of their children had a very good education!

Margaret, Jennell and David Chin-zee were exposed to the best schools, to vocation overseas, to weekend trips to all fourteen parishes and when they were not taking trips around the island on weekends; they would be attending to some church services at, "Our Lady of The Consumption". It was very adamant that they took part in the activities of the church community and any other social clubs in the community! So the two sisters and their brother were in the choir, they were in sports, plays, dancing! And a number of other social activities! You name they were in it!

And as the years went by! Margaret and her siblings achieved academically! They were on the honor-roll at school and were given scholarships to further their education abroad. They all had aspiration and premise to go to the top! To aspire to the highest ranks in life! To be anything they wanted to be! And there was nothing standing in their way! They had a beautiful home, good food on the table, fashionable clothing to ware; causing others to carry a grudge! And they also had a reasonable amount allowances given to them each week! And although, they were privileged children they were still very humbled and would often give to the less fortunate! Volunteer their time at shelters and nursing homes; assisting the elderly! And although some thought they were stuck-up! Others thought they were well rounded and a very giving bunch! And Margret and Jennell were daddy's princesses and David was his mother's prince! And so the three siblings grew up and prospered in every area of activities they were exposed to!

They were all grown up now! Although David was still in high school but Margret had completed two years of college now and Jennell was in her first year of college! And as college students often do they started going out with the guys! No one knows how these relationships are going to ends up! Sometimes they end up being partners for life! While others just fall by the way side and go into different directions! And so Margaret eyes caught some tall, tan, stranger in one of her college classes! Their eyes were interlocking and had to intention of shifting to the left or to the right! And so they stared at each other until one decided to come forward and make the introduction! "I am Michael McDugall!"

Hands were stretched forward and with a smile as bright as a hundred watt light bulb! She replied.

"I am Margaret Chin-zee from Jamaica!"

And so the conversation developed from there; and they were both going to either end up as life-long partners or somehow, their relationship would be dropped by the way side!

And so Margaret and Michael sat together to listen to their lecturer and when the session was over they went for a walk together on the campus ground; when they had both learnt that there were no other classes on schedule for them to attend to right away! They both had at least an hour free! And all that time was spent on getting to know each other!

"What do you like to do for fun?" Michael asked.

"I really haven't been out since I have been here! I mostly stay in and study!" Margaret replied.

"You do? Really! College is supposed to be fun! To explore life and see what's of interest us and what doesn't!" Michael exclaimed.

Definitely, Michael was a smooth talker and Margaret wondered what he majored in!

"Well I'm from another culture and when I go home to see my family I do go out! But here! For me it is all about the books!" Margaret explained.

"And when I'm finish from here I would like to go on and do my masters! Or even my doctorate; depend on how fast I finish here! Or I might just take some time off and work before I tackle my doctorate!" Margaret furthered explained!

"I see! You are very pretty serious about your education!" Michael Suggested.

"Well my parents and my community as always stressed such importance to me and my siblings!"

How many siblings do you have?" Michael asked.

"I have a brother and I sister! My baby brother is still in high school and my sister has just started college!" Margaret expressed.

"Well I would love to take you out tomorrow night! There is a party going on at the Blanc-Work club tonight! Most of the college students here are going to be there! You can give the books a rest for a while and come keep my company! It will be a lot of fun!" Were the words of invitation that Michael uttered to Margaret.

"I'll think about it!" Margaret replied.

"Please! My pretty please! I would love to have you with me as company!" Michael begged!

And Margaret gave in and decided to accompany Michael to the club! She was an excellent student with very excellent grades! And she thought one night out won't hurt! All she did from she had arrived from her country was to stay in school and study! She wanted to be a doctor! She wanted to set a good example for her younger brother and sister and most importantly she wanted to do her parents proud! They had put a lot into have them excel and Margaret especially didn't want to forfeit on that promise of excellence!

"Ok Michael I'll come with you!"

"You will!!! I'll come and pick you up at eight or nine or I'll see later!"

When Michael had said he will pick her up Margaret was thinking of; him coming to her door and the both of the catch a ride or took the bus! She had no idea that he had a car! That was going to actually pick her up and drive her there! But she thought wrong!

It was half pass nine before he showed up and he pulled up into a two seat red porch! Margaret was shock to see him such a fancy car and she complimented how awesome he looked in it! Causing his ego to fly to the roof! And with a flamboyant utterance he called out to Margaret, "Hop on in luscious lady!"

As he stretched forth his hand and open the door for her while still holding onto the steering wheel with the other hand!

Now they were on the high way and heading to their destination! The night air was crispy and fresh as the early stages of a cold from! There were million of stars in the skies that were twinkling as if they were responding to some unheard of music! There was also a big shooting stare that glided south and Margaret made herself a silent wish! The atmosphere was overall beautiful! It has been a very long time since Margaret had gone out during the night and she had completely for gotten about how the gorgeous the stars looked at nights because she had been so involved with her studies!

On their way to club Margaret wanted desperately to ask Michael if it was his car or it was his parents that they were in! It was a very expensive car and she thought his folks must be very wealthy for him to have such luxury while getting a college education! And so she asked.

"Michael I don't mean to be inquisitive! But is this your car or your parent car?"

"It is mine! Baby its' all mine! My folks bought it for my birthday a year ago and also as a going away present for college! So I can get around easier!"

"That is very lovely of them!" Margaret expressed.

"Ho yes! They are the best!" Michael Exclaimed.

And so they pulled up at the club and park a d within no time they were out of the car and standing at the entrance of the club house. There were tons of other young people there! Some familiar faces from the college was there and some very unfamiliar faces! They didn't at all seem like the college type; bus some of them were dressed very smashing! With hats, shoes and suit matching! And some of the ladies had long gloves up to their elbows! Wide, flair, miniskirts and six inches, if not higher spike heel shoes!

Everyone at the club seemed to know who Michael was! Both women and men; young and old was calling out to him! And so he excused the crowed and he and Margaret walked to the door of the club and the security personnel at the door gave way to let him!

Suspicion had fully occupied Margaret's mind! He had now grown very suspicious about Michael owning the club! Or it was his parents or some close family member who had own it! Because the bouncer had just allowed him to walk past everyone who was waiting to get in and gave free access for him to step right inside! No question asked!

The atmosphere in the club was heavy! There were hundreds of persons inside! Some in booths drinking while some were on the dance floor shaking their rumps! As the psychedelic lights flash back and forth making some look smaller than they really were and other even looking prettier than they actually were! And they all seemed to be rocking back and forth in unison to the beat of the music! And as they rhythm rack through the air Margaret couldn't resist! She started tapping her feet to the beat of the music!!!! Her fingers were snapping and eventually her both hands were flashing in the air and then her entire body follow suite! And before you knew it she was on the dance floor jamming so hard to the beat of the music!

At this she was clueless as to where Michael had gone! He had excused himself saying her was going to the restroom! But Margaret knew! He must have been pushing out an elephant for him to take that long in there! And as Margaret rocked her body to the music! Different attractive young men were coming up to her and dancing every time the music changed! Some asking for her permission to do so while others weren't! They would just come in front of her and started busting the move!

The selector had now changed the selection of the music from the fast and heavy beat to a much more, slower pace! Now persons were coupling up with each other! Rapping arms around waist and leaning heads on shoulders! As they glide around the dance floor while positioning themselves at all cardinal points of the club! It was then Margaret decided to take a temporary leave of absent from the dance floor! She didn't want to be up in anyone arms as if to be realizing an intimate moment with them! And as she seated herself back at the booth Michael returned from where ever he was!

Sweat was dripping all over Margaret face! So she went to her purse to get her rag. But Michael beat her to it! He took his hand kerchief from his pocket and handed it to her! But it wasn't enough! His hanky was way too small and too light to hold all the perspiration that was coming out of her! So she had to go back to her original resolution! Her terry cloth rag that was in her purse! It would suck up the sweat that was pushing out of her body and still didn't feel cold and insipid when she was done! And as she fan herself with her packet rag Michael squirm and wiggle his way through the intense crowd as if he was a worm; until he had gotten to the bar, where he bought something ice- cold for the both of them to drink!

When Michael had returned with drinks in both hands he placed them on the table and as he scoot up against Margaret! He then slid her two glasses with fruit punch with a touch of white rum over to her! While he had two bottles of beer! They pretty drank in silence! It was Michael who had broken the silence when he commented to Margaret about going on the dance floor without him! She told him she couldn't resist the beat of the music! Because it was like fire shut-up in her bones and she had to release it! And that she was sorry if she had disappointed him; by not waiting for him to come back!

The look on Michael McDugall's face wasn't pleasant at all! And neither was his tone! When he had commented about her being on the dance floor without him! Margaret was a smart girl and she suspected that Michael was up either up to no good or he was up to a lot of good! And she wondered if he was concerned about her dancing with the wrong persons who might have taken advantage of her or was in jealous and wanted to control whatever she did and with who she did it with! But she was not that type to be controlled! Her parent had raised her better than that! And she was pretty-much aware of the tell tale signs of persons who accommodated those type of personalities! And with a rub on his strong muscular arms Margaret asked Michael; "Would you like to dance with me now!"

And he flatly rejected her proposal!

"No! I don't feel like dancing right now!" Michael fired back!

"How can you not want to dance in a place like this? Can't you not hear the beat of the music? I believe something must be incredibly wrong with you buddy!"

"Nothing is wrong with me!" Michael uttered meanly.

"Ok suite yourself! Margaret replied.

And she excused herself from where they were seated and she went back on the dance floor and she began to jam her waist line to the beat of the music! She was on fire on the dance floor and all who had seen her dancing wanted to dance with her or wanted to know who she was! And as she jammed to the calypso beat! The disco beat! The reggae beat! Everyone was staring at her and commenting on how she had rhythm!

The music was very powerful and Margaret was enjoying herself tremendously, and thought about coming back to the club to enjoy herself with or without Michael whenever she had any free time from her studies or needed the exercise or just to release some stress built-up! But Michael however, saw her enjoyment as her making a spectacle of herself!

It was a brief look! And Margaret saw a tall dark heavy built man standing where she and Michael was sitting! They seem to be caught up into a very intense conversation! And she noticed that Michael stumped his fist on the table in front of him! Showing a sense of rage! He saw mad! He was mist off like a bull seeing red Mexico! He didn't seem like he could be tamed! He then shoved the bottles of bear in front of him to the side as if he didn't care for them anymore! Now his hand was up at his face as stroked whatever little beard he had as he twisted his face like tornado ready to take over Kansas! And right then and there Margaret intuition told her that trouble was hanging around! How near it was she didn't know! And if it was deliberate or not; she was in the dark about that too!

Satisfaction had now won! She was feeling good! Energized! Pump-up! But thirsty! She wanted something drink! But something without the alcohol attached to it! She wanted something refreshing and nutritious to drink! She loved the way her body was feeling; the sexy without the sex! Strong and motivated! It had been a long time since she had felt like this! Because she had grown custom to being pen-up into her room like a spinster, studying! Even when classes were out of session and her room mates would go out; she would refuse their invitations and stay in and study! She was dedicated to her cause!

And as she wondered what the conversation was about, she walked over to where she was previously seated! It was seconds that the man who was talking to Michael disappeared! It was obvious to her they didn't want her to know what they were discussing and what had made Michael so up-set that he had to sump his fist on the table so hard; causing it to crack the surface of the table!

The mood in the club had changed and Margaret was ready to leave! She wanted to go back on campus, shower and get into bed! With Michael attitude she didn't know what would be next! And so she related to him that she was ready to leave! He immediately yanked her by the arm as if she was his property or child and yelled out to her, "You ready to leave now! Well lets' leave!" while pushing the table from in front of him!

"Michael you are hurting me! Let go off my arm! What's wrong with you? Are you gone mad or something?"

Everyone was looking on how Michael was manhandling Margaret! But no one said anything! When they have reached where the car was parked Michal somehow couldn't find his car keys! He kept on fumbling through his jacket and pants pockets but somehow he just couldn't locate them! He wasn't sure if he had left them inside the club! Or at the back of the club where he was first when they had just arrived on inside the rest room. It wasn't inside the ignition for sure because although the car was tinted one could still see inside where the driver seat was. He wanted to retrace his steps back into the club to see if he finds them but was too irate to do so! He was banging on the top of the car with his bare fist as he uttered all sorts of profanities!

"Would you like for me to call a lock smith? There is one on the school compound whose number I have stored in my phone! I could call him if you like me to! Or else you have another means of getting the door open?" Margaret offered.

"And if the lock smith comes and opened the door; how am I going to drive the damn car and take you home if I don't have the keys?" Michael fired back at her.

Michael then kicked the tires with great frustration as he walked back to the club to see if he had left them there. Margaret stood out in the early morning dew as she waited for him to return. And as she leaned up against the car and waited for Michael to return; the same man he was talking with inside the club wearing the white suite came up to her and told her it would be best if she ditched Michael! Because he was up to no good! She also had further learnt that he was a part owner of the club and she had not been the only girl he had brought to the club! And how no one ever sees him with that same person twice!

The attitude of Michael tonight had made Margaret questioned his motive for bringing her to the club; but she couldn't really pin-point it at all! But now she was learning more and more of who he really was!

It was around a half-an hour later before Michael returned with the keys jingling in his hands! He didn't look like he had any insincere bone in his body! He seemed to have had a sudden mood change! And as he walked up the car he opened the door and told Margaret to get in! And so she did!

One, two, three, and they were out of his parking spot and on his way! He was driving very fast as if he was in a hurry! Margaret had asked him to slow down but he totally ignored her! He just kept his eyes gazed on the road as if he was one with as he sped his little red porch onto the highway!

Whoop-whoop! Whoop-whoop! Whoop-whoop! The sound of the police siren and colorful, flashing lights at a three hundred and sixty degree circumference! Michael refused to stop right away! It was after one of the police officer used the blow horn before he decided to stop! And as he pulled over to the shoulder of the road the office came up to the car with his flash light! He demanded that Michael kept his hand on the steering wheel while he asked him if the car had belonged to him! Michael assured the officer that it was his car. The police officer then asked him for his driver's license and registration. And so Michael handed it to him! The police officer return to the patrol car to check his credentials!

At this time other officers came onto the scene! They even had the canine unit with them! And one of the dogs started circling Michael's car! And within minutes the dog start; Woof-Woof! Woof-Woof! Woof-Woof! The dog was barking continuously! Raising the alert to the officers that something was wrong inside the car! And so the officers asked Margaret and Michael to step out of the so they search the entire vehicle after asking Michael if there was anything illegal in his vehicle; which he had clearly denied in his response to them!

All this time Margaret was trembling in her boots! She was in total disbelief; that she was going to be involved into something like this! She could be put away for a very long time! And if she should ever get out her parents would have to spend an arm and a leg before she could ever see the light of day again! She was running crazy in her mind! Her name might be on the news tomorrow!

"Aspiring college students found with drugs!"

It could be even broadcast internationally! Her parent had a satellite dish! And they always watched international news! What shame she was going to bring to them! All the church parishioners! Her friends back home! What a mess to be in! Margaret thought about killing herself right away! And she looked at the police mans' gun cocking from its' holster and a million and one thoughts about ending her life right away came to her mind! There was no way out of this! Who is going to believe; that she had just gone out with him, this once! Just to have a good time for a couple of hours! To take a break from her studies! Her first time of the grounds of college compound; and she was in major trouble!

The school reputation was also going to be tarnished because of her! They might even ask her to leave the school permanently! Who could she call to aid her in this troubling matter! Margaret had concluded that her live was now over!

And as the canine scratched, scraped and swirled around repeatedly to indicate that something dangerous was lingering in the car! The police officers started to pull Michaels' car apart! And as they removed screws from the padding of the car door there it was a large three pound pack of the white stuff! It was white as snow! It had looked like someone had shuffled up some snow and placed inside of the bag! And a little deeper digging and something else was found! This time however it was the long black stuff! With its' thick handle and it rounded mouth to discharge at its target! It was now no doubt about it! Someone is going to spend sometime in the pen! And it won't be the chicken pen for sure!

The sounds of lamentation could be heard from miles away! Margaret was bawling! She was out of her mind! She couldn't at all think straight! Probable if she had had something more with alcohol in it to drink, she could have by-pass what was really taking place! But she was sober as a pastor at water baptism! However, frantic and scared! She was ready to take her life! And she tried to converse with the police officers that she was a college student and he had just asked her out for the first time! And she had just accepted to go out with him to relax a little!

"Miss You can tell that to the judge! I can't help you with that! The both of you will be going to jail tonight!"

His comment infuriated Margaret! Putting her into a state of panic!

"What jail are you talking about?" Margaret shouted.

She thought about her brother and her sister and how disappointed they are going to be in her! And her father would have to leave his businesses; come to the states and retain a lawyer to defend her! And the small fortune it might have to cost him! It is going to cost him an arm and a leg and also jeopardized the college education of her brother and sister! She would hate desperately to have such happened! She had never been in any situation like this before and she had not known of anyone who was! She had only heard about such crimes on the news and had often times wondered if they were actually true!

And without thinking Margaret reached for one of the police officers' gun while he was attending to some paper work! She yanked it so hard from its holster! And he tried very hard to get it away from her! They both tumbled and tussled to the ground! Blow!!!!! A shot went off!

Who was hit no one knew for sure right away!

The other officer had their gun drawn now! They were aiming at the both bodies on the ground! Not wanting to hit their colleague! And hoping to get a clear shot at Margaret! It was a very dangerous place to be in!

Blood was now streaming slowly on the shoulder of the sidewalk where they were all standing! And it wasn't Margaret's blood either! The police officer was shot in the abdomen! And it was very serious! But thank God it wasn't fatal!

A bad situation has now grown worst! Because Margaret had shot a police officer while attempting to kill herself! And no matter what she said! She still was going to be charged with shooting a police officer. Now it was not only blood on the ground but also urine! Margaret was so frighten when the shot had went off that she urinated on her person! She had now begun to weep and wail! And when they slap the hand cuffs around her wrist, she wept even more! It was like the world was coming to an end and she had no way of escaping the parels! Nothing and no one could contain her and it seemed as if no one care to, either!

All the officers that were on the scene were attending to their wounded colleague lying on the ground! Officer down! Officer down, high-way 78! Officer down, high-way 78! Come quick! Officer badly wounded! As they called for the medical team to come fast and assist their follower officer and take him to the hospital!

With frustration the other officers place Margaret Chin and Michael McDugall into the back of the patrol car! With hand-cuffs on both of them! They both looked like two over weigh pigeons as they scuffled up against each other! And within seconds they were whisked off to jail! With Margaret still bawling out for mercy!

"Madam, you could bawl blood until Jesus comes, you going to jail tonight!" The police officer commented.

"Do you understand the amount of trouble you are in? The car you were driving in had around three pounds of cocaine inside of it! And your friend here, say it is yours! He is willing to testify that the cocaine belongs to you! Plus you have just severely wounded a police officer with his gun! You might not see the light of day ever again!" The police officer continued.

"Officer you got to believe me! I wasn't trying to shoot him at all! I was only trying to take my own life! Please forgive me! Please ask him to forgive! I was only ending my own life! My parent can't bare this news! I don't even drink! This is my first night off the campus! He invited me out last evening! I wasn't aware that he is involved in anything like this! Officer you have to believe me!" Margaret pleaded as she tried to explain what had happened.

"Well young lady you can explain all that you had just said to me to the judge and see what happens! You are staying in jail! You will be afforded a phone call when you get to the station! So you can call who you think is best to help you!"

The word jail made Margaret squirmed inside! She hated to be treated like a common criminal! She was no drug dealer and she had no intention of wounding the officer! She only wanted to end her own life; because she was too ashamed to be caught up in a situation like this! And she was even more ashamed to have met Michael McDugall! She hated him with every soul of her being to place her in such a predicament like this! And she felt very sorry that it wasn't Michael who had gotten shot instead of the police officer!

With careful consideration thought about who was the best person for her to have called! She didn't want the institution she was attending to get involve. They had looked up to her as a well mannered student and a very high achiever and promising pupil academically! Her gut wrenched inside of her; to inform them of what had happened to her! And so she decided on calling her parent!

The relationship between Margaret and her parent was a very good one. Particularly, with her father! She knew he was going to be furious! He was going to blow the roof off! This is very serious business and probable too serious for him to angle emotionally! He had often mentioned that he had never gotten a police ticket in his own country; so he couldn't see or understand; how he could possible get one abroad! And how persons who leave their countries and went abroad; and get caught up with the law weren't of any good caliber or had any ambition! Margaret imagination was now running wild! And she imagined the awful and hateful look her father would be giving her whenever his eyes laid hole upon her behind bars!

As the patrol car pulled up at the station Margaret heart started beating rapidly! The police officer could actually hear her heart beating up against chest like a dub sound from a movie! Bup-Bup! Bup-Bup! Bup-Bup! Bup-Bup! She was scares out of her wits! And another set of tears started to cascade down her face and onto her chest area like the River Nile! As the police officer took her from the car she looked around the surroundings and thought to herself; she might never see the light of day again!!!!!!

Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Hello Margaret how are you doing! How is college life treating you? You are unable to sleep why you call so early in the morning? Her father was pouring on the questions on her humorously; without giving her a chance to answer any of them right away! Failing to anticipate that his child could be any sort of trouble!

"Daddy I'm in serious trouble!" Margaret tried to explain.

"What is so fancy that you want to purchase now? You need me to send you some money again? Her father asked jokingly.

"No daddy I don't need money like that! I need you and mom here right away!" Margaret said as the tears started rolling down her cheeks worst than before!

"What is wrong with you; are you sick!" Mr. Chin-zee asked with concern in his voice.

"No daddy I'm not sick! I'm in jail!" Margaret said sheepishly.

"In jail for what?" her father exclaimed.

"I'm in jail for possession of drugs and shooting of a police officer!" Margaret replied; with sorrow in her voice and in her heart.

"Margaret it is not all fools day and it is not the holiday when all the children dress up in costumes! What is it called again? Halloween! So stop playing games!" Margaret father replied.

"No daddy I'm not playing games! I'm really in jail! I'm in very big trouble! And I need you and mom right now! Margaret tried to explain.

"Well if you are really in jail let me talk with one of the officers and find out what's wrong!" Mr. Chin-zee replied.

Still not believing a word his daughter was saying to him. And when the police officer took the phone from Margaret and he indeed told her father that she was really in jails and the charges that could be brought against her; he almost fell to the floor and had a heart attack! When he had heard the words cocaine and attempting murder of a police officer! He just couldn't believe what he was hearing! And had to rest his rump on the side of the bed as he held onto his chest!

Although, the news was severe and a second person had confirmed it! Mr. Chin-zee still wasn't ready to accept such facts! Now he thought his daughter was having one of her male friends conspire with her to say such had happened. He couldn't believe in a million years that his beautiful brilliant daughter who he had raised so well could ever be in such trouble with the law much-less expecting to spend life in prison!

By now his wife had gotten up from the bed. She had over heard some of the conversation. And she too couldn't believe what she had heard. However she knew anything was possible! And so she took the telephone from her husband and said hello to the officer at the other end of the telephone line, who now had to repeat what he had just said to her husband. They were now both in shock and in great disbelief!

"Officer, please tell our daughter Margaret Chin we will try and be there tomorrow or as soon as we can get a flight out of here!" Ms. Chin expressed.

After showers of tears! They somehow, both gotten themselves together and started packing and making the necessary arrangement for their trip to the states. And also arrangement for a safe place their son could stay until they had sorted out this horrible situation with their eldest daughter. They decided to have him stay with his god mother! With her he could go to church and stay out of trouble! Not that he was a rude kid! But that was the best place for him right now!

A lot needed to be done! They need to get an attorney! And a very good one too! They needed to go to the bank to transfer funds that they were going to need to pay for an attorney and whatever else they were unsure off!

Thankfully, Mr. Chin-zee had a brother who usually helps out at the mechanic shop and an excellent assistant at his accounting office who had been working with him for some years now and who knew all the different transactions on the various accounts he had obtained over the years. When it came to the business she was very meticulous so he felt very confident leaving her to handle the business in his absences.

All of the Chin-zee's were in tears! Both overseas and at home! This wasn't a cosmetic situation they were facing! They felt as if their name had gone to the worst of the worst! And there must be another side to the story! There must be a mistake! No one had believed what they had heard. But it was true! And there was nothing they could do but face the very serious and severe consequences that were ahead of them!

The plane landed and Mr. Chin-zee sister met him at the Kennedy Air Port. She had been living in the state for some years now and worked as a nurse in one of the major hospitals in the metropolitan area. When she had heard the news of what had happened to her niece, she offered to assist in whatever way she could and told her brother that he and his wife was welcome to stay by her house instead of staying into a hotel. Because no one knew how long this case is going to last! And furthermore, what amount of funds it was going to entail when this trial is done! So consequently, they had to start prioritizing and cut back on any added expenses they believe might accrue during the trial! It was absolutely a nerve-racking experience for all who were involved! But especially, for the Chin-zee's family!

As soon as the Chin-zee's reached his sister's house he had a bite, showered and went to rest, he had no time for chit-chat! He was very nervous for his daughter and her future! She was the only one on his mind right through the night! He had gotten word already that there would be no bail for her because of the magnitude of the offenses! There was no way she could be released on her own cognizance; because she had shot an officer and a very large amount of drugs was found in the vehicle she was riding in; which the driver of the vehicle claimed was hers! And furthermore she would be transferred from the police present to an actual jail until her trial date. Hate had engulfed him! He hated the fact that his baby girl, his princess, his daughter who had so much potential had to be sharing beds, clothing and space with criminals! Strangely enough! He didn't and couldn't see her as one of them! But she was!

The following morning Mr. Chin-zee got the phone book to shop around for an attorney to represent his daughter. It was long though before he had gotten one who wanted to represent his daughter and assured him that he would do his best so as to have his daughter spend the lease amount of time in prison! They exchange phone numbers and set up a time to meet and visit Margaret together so as to take a deposition of her side of the story!

Mr. Chin-zee still didn't have all the facts of what had actually happened and thought it best that the attorney heard everything from daughter instead. And so he paid the attorney fifty percent of the required fee as he promised to start taking care of all the documents required for him to start his investigation process and make appointment for them to acquire visitation status!

Everything was now becoming a total mayhem! The attorney for the police officer who was shot; was now calling Margaret's attorney stating she was a druggy and she put away for life for attempted murder of his client! Michael McDugall attorney was now calling Margaret Chin-zee's attorney! And everyone was throw accusations left and right! But it was Margaret's attorney who hushed everyone up and stated that they all had not received all the facts as yet so no one should jump to conclusions! And that they will all have their day in court!

Margaret's attorney knew she was in a very sticky situation; but he had to find out from her what had really happened; but form the look of her parents and what they had reveal to him she couldn't be at all a cruel persons as the plaintiff attorney was making her out to be! She was in college trying to get a higher education! She had excellent grades and was coming from an upstanding family! She had both parent by her side all her life and was well provided for! She had no need to be selling drugs!

Wednesday morning bright and early Mr. Ludlow Ludwig was at the Newark correctional facility to see his client! With her parent by his side and legal papers in hand! He was ready to get all the facts from her and he was willing to see to it that she get the lease amount of time in prison as he possibly could! But it was all going to be up to the jury! He had child of his own which were of the same age of Margaret and he thought how he would hate to see them in a predicament like this!

The warder send for Margaret at her cell and within half an hour she was in the conference room with her parent and her attorney! This time it was Mr. Chin-zee who was weeping bitterly when he saw his daughter in a large orange suite that made her looked thinner than she actually was! And so he hugged her tightly and wept! It seemed as if he had no intention of releasing his arms from around her! And so his wife didn't bother to wait for him to remove his arms from around Margaret so she could get her turn to fully embrace her also! And so she joined in; and the three Chin-zees' hugged and wept acrimoniously! And it was then and there her father proclaimed with a soppy face and tears dribbling down his high cheek bones like any water fall! As he said chokingly,

"I have to get you out of this place one way or the other! I have to get you out of here! This is no place for you to be! You don't deserve to be here!"

His eyes had now become blood-red! He was sweating profusely and partially shaking! It was Mr. Ludwig who had to hold Mr. Chin-zee and help place him onto a chair! It was the first time his wife had notice he was aging fast and it was his first time he had felt like such!

A box of tissue was placed on the table and everyone pulled their chair and got seated with tissues still in hand and sobbing snorts and nose blowing as if the crown of the head would fall off any minute!

"It is time to get down to Business! By the way Margaret I'm Mr. Vincent Ludwig I'll be representing you!"

The attorney stated as he introduce himself to his new client! As he gripped her hand and shook it firmly and confidently! He then pulled out a chair for Margaret to sit on! He was now ready to hear her side of the story! With pen and paper in hand to jot down every detail of her conversation as if he was writing the gospels!

The tears had ceased for a while; but when Margaret had revealed that she had no intention of shooting the police officer but that the bullet was intended for her instead! She wanted to take her own life! Because, she thought it was bad enough that she was in so much trouble driving in a car with a criminal; but when Michael had told the officers that the drugs inside of the car had belong to her and that he would testify to such; everything became hopeless in a sporadic moment!

"I wanted to end my life! He was standing right in front of me and telling the officers that the drugs belong to me! I just couldn't take it anymore! I did not want to go to prison for his mistakes! For his actions! For his misdeeds! Margaret exclaimed sobbingly.

And everyone began to weep again! Even the attorney had tears trickling at the corner of his eyes! Which he got out his hand kerchief and dab away the tears quickly! As he pounded on the conference table while trying to maintain his composers! He realized he had to be strong for his client and her family!

Although Margaret didn't want to get her college involved her attorney thought otherwise! He thought the college would be the ideal place for him to get a character reference and a mental and social status of who his client really was! What grades was she presenting to her professors? How was her social attitude! Was she barely making with her grades that she had to resorts to drugs? Was she one of the popular ones who was seeking attention and had gone to every social activities and out at clubs at weekends? Or was she a very serious student who was heading for the top? Who had scholarship after scholarship under her belt? The institution would be the best place to give an informed statement about her behavior! And he was right!

A light bulb moment then flashed into Margaret fathers' head! He wanted to help his daughter get out of this predicament as soon as possible! And the sooner the better! So he decided to get the church involved! He wanted all the members who had known Margaret to write a petition letter to the court to state how she was a law abiding citizens and had given a lot to her surrounding communities by volunteering much of her free time helping the elderly and the sick! And they all needed to place their signature on the letter!

When Mr. Chin-zee secretary was done typing the letter and brought it to the church they had received over four hundred signatures attesting to the fact that Margaret was an excellent human being with upstanding morals, beliefs and character! She was more an asset to any society and not a liability! They were now all feeling a little more optimistic about the case and hope and prayed that the judge would be lenient on their daughter and the jury would see that there was a conspiracy by Michael to destroy his daughter's life! And that he was the real criminal and not her!

The thinking cap of Mr. Chin-zee was now, on! He wanted to know if he could pay a visit to the police officer who his daughter had shot by accident and who was laying up in the hospital! He needed to have a meeting with the police officers' attorney who had gotten shot before such could happen! It was less likely for him to see him; but he had to try for his daughter's sake! He wanted to personally apologize for his daughter's action and find out what he could do to help him! He wanted to mend all broken fences before the day of the trial so as to get his daughter sentences lessened! And so Mr. Chin-zee was on the move! He wrote a letter to the officer revealing what his daughter had told him about taking her own life; how sorry he was that he was the one who had received that bullet. And how he hopes that he gets well very soon!

Mr. Chin-zee had carried the letter along with a bouquet of flowers that his wife had chosen and also a base-ball cap! He had placed the letter in a bright color envelop with the officer's name so it would get immediate attention and left it at the nurses' station of the hospital! He had told one of the nurses to make sure he gets it as soon as he was able to read! And she promised she would! He was trying to sly as much dragons as he could... he wanted to make as much right as possible for his daughter sake and her future as well! And he was feeling much better now! It wasn't all about the trial for him; but it was the spirit of humanitarianism that was in his blood! Much of which he had pass and taught his three children! To care for others regardless of the position they were in! But now one of his children was been accused of hurting an officer of the law! This wasn't sitting well with him at all! Not; spiritually, mentally, emotionally and sometimes not even physically! There were lots of times when he would just get weak! And wrinkles were showing up all over his body that no one had observed before! Some of the wrinkles his face and hands were so deep! Not even a dose of chemical peel solution could tackle!

The stay in the pen wasn't easy for Margaret Chin-zee either! There were numerous other females who had their own agenda and who also wanted to include her in their shenanigans! She had blatantly refused to take part in any of their pleasurable conquest for each others' flesh! And when she did, she was criticized for being stoosh, stuck-up, show-off, swank and acting like she was superior to the rest of them in the pen! But contrary to accusations and name calling; she was none of those things! She wasn't conceited or vainglorious! She had been exposed to a lot of stuff; but not this! And she was taught by her parent and church community to wait until she had gotten married to explore such activities with her husband!

Some of the young ladies looked well nurish! Had spoken well at times and Margaret contemplated and wondered what they were in prison for! She felt the need to be inquisitive and to enquire what had brought such beautiful young ladies like her in such a place of ill repute! She knew her situation was a mistake! She knew she wasn't a drugs pusher neither was she a murderer... trying to shoot the cop! And she wondered if their situation was a mistake too! But it was at one of the meal sessions that Margaret had learnt they were very close friend and were behind the pen for ordering thousands of dollars worth of designer clothing, bags, shoes, accessories and sending the invoice to one of the high-end stores in the city to pay the bills! Stating it was there order! But when the driver had gone to that location to collect the funds the store stated that they hadn't made such orders! Amazingly, they would have gotten away with it! If only they had moved all the goods from that address and brought them someplace else!

Feeling all alone in the prison community Margaret focused on reading... magazines, bible and whatever books they had available in there. Although she had complained to the prison warder about the sexual harassment there was very little options given to her! She was advised to deal with it or they will place her in confinement and there she would be isolated from any of the prison population, television or any other social activities! Then she was given a stern warning by the warder! No one usually comes out there alive! So either you deal with these nincompoops or you leave out here in a body bay! The choice is yours!

Margaret was the most recent person in that group of prison community! They all seem to know each other and got along well with each other for some reason or the other! And so she weighed her options and decided to stay with the rest of criminal she was placed with! But she refused to let any of them touched her in places she didn't want to be touched! She decided to read and focus on the word of God and hope that her trial date would be soon set so she could know her fate! She was anxious! She was hopeful and she knew her parent and her attorney were doing their very best to see to it that she was released from behind the steel bars!

The intercom system blasted Margaret Chin-zee name requesting that she prepare herself to come to the visiting area nine am. After she had finished her breakfast! Margaret was delighted when she had learnt she had visitors! It was her parent and her attorney who had come to see her again! They had brought some snacks for her, money to place on her concession card and some clothes that she would need to wear on her trial date; which was on May 17, which would be two weeks from the date that they had come to see! It had been three months already since she had been locked up and she was nervous and anxious; yet ready for this day! The family hugged, cried as if they had no intention of letting go off each other! They knew this might be the last time they might have to exercise such emotions! They were showing as much support as they could for each other! It was Mr. Ludwig clearing his throat that brought them back to reality and reminded them that time is of the essence and there were still more work to be done!

The look on Mr. Chin-zee made Margaret more worried! Her father was looking thinner than ever! And she felt nervous for him and hope she would be out of jail to take care of him the way he had taken care of her over the years.

Chairs were drawn and everyone was seated at the conference table. Mr. Ludwig, the attorney went over some details with his client and her family and what she was going to expect when she entered the court! He mentioned to her that he will be putting her on the stand to testify and that he had also subpoena some of her professors and room-mates to testify on her behalf.

"Every bit counts in this case!" Margaret attorney blurted out! As he went over detail after detail of her case and what questions the plaintiffs attorney might be throwing at her! And how she should tried to remain calm and answer the questions as truthfully as she could and how she should look straight into the attorney eyes when she was responding to any of his questions!

With frantic rhythm of Margaret's heart was racing fast! She was sweating! She had begun shaking and she wasn't inside the court room as yet! Huge drops of tears were rolling down her cheeks and giving off splattering sounds as they dropped on the table in front of her! And her attorney felt sorry for her! But he encouraged her to stay strong and fight for her life and her future! Because if she don't then this drug dealer will win! Just that minute comment put Margaret frame of mind back on track! She was back to high gear and she was ready for Michael McDugall! She had now come to realized that she will not let him put her away for life! Put her and her parent hard work into the gutter; when he belonged! She had to find the inner strength! The gut-so! The courage and the will! He was the drug dealer and not her! And she began praying for the favor of God and man to be victorious in this case!

"He will not win! He will not win! He will not win in the name that is above any other name!" Margaret shouted from her seat in a gut wrenching, wacky whale.

Causing her attorney and her parent to jump from their seats! Believing she was going to do something more drastic and out of character! But all she said was, "Amen!"

Blamm!!!! Clang!!!! Clang!!!! The huge iron gates were lock shut behind Margaret! She had to return to the small population of fellow inmates! She was trying very to recall all that her attorney had stated to encourage her for her day of trial. She had to keep a brisk of all the information and suggestions he had expressed to her so she won't disappoint herself on her day of trial! Because her big day was very near! She hadn't bothered to mention a word of what she was experiencing from some of the other inmates behind the prison walls when her parent was visiting! Not wanting to worry her parent anymore than they were worried already! With intense emotions and a jittery sensation in her gut! Margaret handed the warder her dress and went back to her bunk that was already spread in white cotton and waiting for her!

Like an embryonic figure Margaret curled up on her bed and envisioned her day in court! She thought about being strong and rejecting any face of intimidation! The only state of sorrow she was embracing was for the police officer who had been shot by accident on the night when they pulled over Michael McDugall's car! And she hoped and envisioned that victory will be hers!

It was Sunday evening and the phone had wrong! It was the Margaret Chin-zee's attorney. He had some very promising news! He stated that the officer who had gotten shot! Officer David Miller; had been discharged from the hospital and he wanted to thank him for the letter and the flowers he had left at the hospital for him! And the stories he had heard about his daughter from one of his nieces who have been attending the same collage! And that might be a very good sign the officer might be very merciful on his daughter! So he should hope and pray that those are his intentions.

May the 17th was here and Margaret Chin-zee was up bright and early and was ready to be taken to court house by the correctional officers. She was looking very jaunty! All who were scheduled for court on that day were lined up and place in the transportation under heavy security to make the morning journey.

The court room was full when Margaret had arrived there. Her parent and her attorney were already there; but she had not seen Officer David Miller or Michael McDugall. She wasn't sure who their attorney's were and wondered if they were not coming. It was long after she was seated behind where her attorney was sitting that she heard an up roar and looked around and saw a group of men strolling inside the court-room with bright orange jump suites as their attire! Their eyes locked together and the stares were intense and feverish! One with a look of deceit, unctuous, uncertainty while the other with a look of revenged and hate!

And it was Michael who had first broken the stare when the courts' officer had directed him and the other inmates who were with him to their seats! A few minutes had passes and Margaret had heard a scuffling sound behind her. So she turned around to see what it was about; and when she did, it was Officer David Miller and his attorney and also what appears to be some of his family members who had accompanied him to the court. The ball was soon ready to roll! And Margaret claps her hands and said a silent prayer! So as to calm her spirit down! It seemed as if her heart was erupting inside her chest! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!

All rise! The silvery hair man with his long black robe stood on the rostrum and proclaimed that the court was now in session! He then told everyone to be seated! The clerk of court then told everyone who was schedule for court that day to listen out for their names! If they didn't answer to their names or if their attorneys' didn't answer for them then she will consider them absent from the court! And depending on what the situation might be! A summon would be issued out for their arrest!

Margaret Chin-zee verse Michael McDugall and Officer David Miller! And it was Ludlow Ludwig her attorney who had acknowledged that she was there! Her name was the second to be called! So her case would be second on to be tried. Her throat was dry! She was obviously shaking! She was sweating like a diabetic who was about to go in a coma! Her attorney saw that she was in distress and reached for the goblet of water on the table located in the front and center of the court room and poured her out some!

For Margaret the atmosphere of the court room was scary, eerie, suspenseful and fearful! And she needed to have this day over and done with! She had now embraced her fate of going to jail for a very long time! Because she had realized that if she didn't, she would become insane! Delusional! Or probable even dead - dead from a heart attack! Her heart was very beating fast! She was constantly perspiring! And various thoughts race through her mind like a sub-way train! None coming to completion and not one of them were making any sense! They were just coming and going! Coming and going! Although, she was in the court room; she had not heard one thing that the judge, the plaintiff or the defendant had said from the previous case!

Finally! The time had come! The time for judgment was here! And Margaret hoped and prayed the judge was merciful!

And as Margaret and her attorney took front seats on the left side of the courtroom the plaintiff and his attorney took their seats to the right side; as both their names were called by the judge! And as the sworn body of twelve people took their seats with pen and paper in hand Margaret knew it was time to do or die!

Mr. Ludlow Ludwig addressed the court with his introductory clause and then Michael attorney did the same! Margaret was then called to the stand first to be questioned and she had related as much as she could recalled from the day she had met Michael McDugall in class until the hour he had invited her to have a good time and ease her mind from studying too much! And all that had transpired at the club the night in question when she was placed into such a catastrophic situation!

Help was right in front of Margaret! Help she had completely forgotten about! It wasn't until she had seen the gentle-man in front of her that she had recalled... he had warned her the night at the club about Michael being up to no good! And how he is going to put her life in dander! Therefore she should ditch him! But his warning had come a bit too late! Because it was her first night out with him and that was the night she had been arrested!

And so Margaret attorney use this opportunity to his advantage! By calling the man in the whit suite to the stand; he was attired just as he was at the night of the club. But not until after he had called some of the personnel from the college Margaret had been attending, her roommate and also Officer David Miller to the stand!

All of Margaret Chin-zee college colleagues and superiors had given excellent testimonial of who she was and was aspiring to be! She had achieved so much declaration at institution already for her young age! And now this!

A sense of pride and comfort had engulfed Margaret and her parent as one after the other of her college colleagues, sorority, fraternity and the faculty of the institution gave their sworn to cents of her reputation! Her character! And the amount of time she took studying and researching material for different subject areas!

"There was no way she would ever sell drugs, distribute drugs or knowingly accompanied anyone with drugs anywhere! She is always in the dorm studying and helping some of us solving problems!" One of her fellow student exclaimed while on the stand!

Officer David Miller was called to the stand to give his sworn testimony of what had occurred the night Ms. Chin-zee was arrested and he had gotten shot! He had testified that Michael McDugal had been a suspect for quite some time now- from he came into town, he had different stories of how his parent were wealthy and had given him his car as a college going away present! He then related to another person that he had his car from his father and they had come to learn that his father was no more in the circle of life! Because his father had been dead for a very long time now! His other story was he had made it big at the casinos in Las Vagas! And that story came out to be falsified also! And that the night in question when he was locked up he had revealed to an undercover police officer where he had his snatch hidden! Where he was going to make a sale and the person who he was going to use as porn to go and collect his funds!

Mr. Ludwig asked if that person was in the court room right now and the officer revealed that she was! He was then asked to point her out the court; and so Officer Miller pointed at Margaret! Now the jittering and dangerous question was to be asked! The question that Margaret feared the most!

"Officer Miller you were shot on that night in question when you pulled over the car that belonged to Mr. Michael McDugall?"

"Yes sir!"

"Officer Miller could you please explained to the court what had happened on that night in question!"

"After my colleagues and I had searched Mr. McDugall car we found nothing! It was when the canine unit had stiff out the car and indicate to us that there might me something unlawful... some unlawful substance in the car; we pull down the car and found a three pound pack of white substance which, was later tested and verify as cocaine by one of the chemical testing experts in our laboratory! I had placed the hand-cuff on Mr. McDugall right away and had started filling out one of my statement forms. My back was partially turned to Ms. Chin-zee while she was crying and explaining to me that she had just met the guy! It was her first night out with him! And that she knew nothing about the drugs he was transporting in his car! She stated that her parents were going to kill her if they ever knew she was involved in something like this! She begged me to let her go; but I told her she must tell her story to the judge! And that she should have stayed on the premises of the college and study or else she wouldn't be in this trouble in the first place! I started to focus more on filling out the form when I felt her yank the gun from my holster! She wanted to have the gun in her hands- she wanted to take control of the gun! But I wouldn't let it go! I then press my hand on the lever and fired! I thought the gun was pointing down to the car and not at me! I then realized I was hit in the lower extremities of my abdomen!"

"So Officer Miller you are telling me Ms. Chin-zee didn't pull the trigger but you did!" Mr. Ludwig asked.

"Yes sir!" Officer Miller replied.

"Well that means she didn't shoot you! You shot yourself?"

"Well technically I did! But it was her action that had caused me to do so!"

"I don't think it is her action that had caused you to shoot yourself! She was invited out by Mr. McDugall. And she accepted the invitation! Like most single young person would have... after confining themselves in one place and studying for over two years... everyone needs a brake now and again... she wasn't a socialite... she wasn't seeking popularity... she just wanted to take a little brake and Mr. McDugall suggested that she took that brake with him and also provided the time and means so as to fulfill this needed brake! It was his car! His cocaine that you were after... Mark you! I didn't say you weren't doing your job! All I'm saying to you and this court... he is the one who had caused you to be shot on the streets! If it wasn't him and his drugs dealing... his criminal activities... none of us would be here today! Am I right?"

"Yes sir!" Office Miller replied.

"Would you say, you like pleasing your parents when you were growing up? Do you like to make them feel proud of you?"

"Sure! They are my parent! They are the ones who have raised me to be who I am!" Mr. Miller replied.

"So you wouldn't want to bring them shame! You would hide anything that is shameful from them, right officer... Up to this day! There are things - events that only you alone know about? Wouldn't you say Officer Miller?"

"I would say so sir! Yes sir!"

"And this is America where everything is open and on the television! So why then do we want to still hide some of our behavior from the persons who raised us? They suppose to know everything... everything is exposed to them... yet we still hide our shame... our transgression from them! Why! You want to know why Mr. Miller? Because they are the person who are loyal to us and who we are loyal to! They are the ones who we respect and look to guidance from! They are the ones who set the bars for our lives, who we look-up to! Who will reject our wrongs and help us with our right!" Mr. Ludwig expressed.

"Anyone can know when a child is been brought up with any sort- any form of boundary! And how do we know that?" Mr. Ludwig continued.

"You will hear them say, mom or dad will kill me if they ever finds out...! I can't make them find out this, that or the other! That's how you know!" Mr. Ludwig, define.

"Therefore my client, Margaret Chin-zee was only tried to kill herself because she didn't want her parent to know or be inform that she was involved in any criminal activities! A shameful criminal activity! That was the only reason why she laid her hands on that gun of yours! To take her own life! Because she didn't want to bring her family any shame or any embarrassment! She was raised with some boundaries... some restraints... she was raised to respect the law! She was raised to do the right things! And she attempted to take her own like rather than bringing any disgrace or ridicule to her family! She was raised to do the right thing from a very long time... you may ask how I know that! And my answer would be, because over four hundred persons from her church community, schools and even places where she had volunteered over the years has signed a letter of petition asking for the judge to be lenient - to be merciful because she had help them out in some way or the other!"

Mr. Ludwig walked up to the juror and past the letter around to each one of them for viewing; like a congregation viewing a body at a funeral! He then brought the letter of petition to the judge rostrum and placed the letter right in front of him and stepped back onto the floor to address Officer Miller.

So you understand then that Margaret was not trying to shoot you but wanted to end her own life because she didn't want to bring shame to her family?

"Yes sir! But I..."

"I rest my case! No more questions your honor!" Mr. Ludwig uttered; as he briskly walked back to his seat and place himself in the chair beside his client!

Mr. Miller then spoke! No one was expecting him to utter these comments! And everyone in the court room was silent! And he continued.

"Your honor, I would like to relinquish any charges that had occurred against Ms. Margaret Chin-zee; because I find none of it to be her fault!" Officer Miller announced.

Officer Miller, are you aware of what you are requesting? The judge asked sternly.

"Yes your honor!"

"Did someone put you up to this or pay you to make a statement like this?"

"No your honor; I'm doing this after my own free will!"Office Miller replied.

"Counselor, are you - were you aware of your client decision?" The judge asked Officer Miller's ,attorney.

"Yes your honor; I'm aware! But when he had informed me it was too late for me to submit my letter of dismissal where Ms. Chin-zee was concern, your honor!" The attorney explained.

Good girl really gone bad in a courtroom!

It was now time for the tall dark man wearing the white suit to take the stand! He had been in the court all morning and he had kept silent! Indeed he somehow appeared to carry a streak of mystery! And Margaret wondered what he knew about Michael McDugall and how much he could help her case!

With the judge permission he was called to the stand and when he approached the rostrum all eyes followed him as he walked to his chair, gave his name for the record and placed his right hand on the bible and swear to tell nothing but the truth and the whole truth; so help me God!

Low and behold! The tall dark skinny man who was dressed in full white and looked more like a pimp! Had shocking details to reveal to the court of who he actually was and what Michael McDugall had mentioned, inveigle and suggested to him about his snatch of white powder he had hidden beyond the interior surface of his car door!

"My name is detective Christopher Williams and I swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help me God!"

He repeated as the clerk of court had instructed him to do.

And as he uttered his name the entire court room gave out a sigh! And the squeaky sounds of whisper could be heard in the court room!

Immediately, Michael McDugall face dropped! One could mop up his face from off the floor! He was looking timid like a cat in front of a vacuum! And he stared at the man in the white suite with vengeance, hate and disgust! When he had learnt he held the office of a detective. He was twitching and shifting his body continuously in his chair; like he was suffering from a case of fits! He was uneasy! He was done for! He was cornered! And he knew it!

It was Michael McDugall attorney time now to speak! To interrogate the detective! And although he knew his client was up to no good! He was doing his job! It was his job to defend him!

"Detective Williams, how long have you known my client?"

"We have met around six months ago at the Rockaway Night club! He told me he had one of these establishments that he operated at Rosemary Park and had invited me over there to show me around his club!"

"I see! And under the circumstances you were buying drugs from him? Socializing or you were working undercover?"

"I have been working undercover the whole time sir!

"So you have gathered enough information on Mr. McDugall to determine that he is a criminal!

"I would say so sir! It is my duty to investigate if a person is a criminal and then arrest them for such!"

"And what had you found about Mr. McDugall on the night January 25!" Michael's attorney, Mr. Harvey demanded.

That he had a snatch of drugs in his car and he wanted the both of us to bring it to Patterson to drop it off! But because he had some with some other brother over there... he wanted to take that female sitting over there... Ms. Chin-zee to drop it off for him and collect his funds! But he was unsure if she would carry out the task without getting too inquisitive - getting up into his business!"

"But isn't your job to serve and protect... in your case; to investigate! So why didn't you tell Ms Chin-zee that she was in danger! That she was hanging out with a drug dealer... a notorious criminal as you claim?"

"I did warn her! I told her Michael McDugall was up to no good... that he was endangering her life! And she wasn't the only person he had solicited to carry out his dirty devilish disgusting deeds! But he was returning to the car so I didn't get to finish the conversation with her!" Detective Christopher explained to the court.

"No more questions your honor!" Michael McDugall attorney, Mr. Harvey pronounced as he returned to his seat!

With an authoritative person- a police officer on the witness stand, Michael McDugall glory days were over!

With the sworn body of jurors; Michael McDugall was found guilty of distributing and selling cocaine and also probable cause of endangering the life of an officer! He was put away for a very - very long time! However, Margaret Chin-zee on the other-hand was free of all charges! But her troubles were far from over! As the saying goes; Satan has brethrens in and out of church!

Margaret was floored when she heard the amazing results uttered from the jurors stand! She, her family and her attorney embraced, wept and celebrated her victory! They were so happy! They were speechless and full of silent praises! Shriek of pain and laughter presented itself on their faces! Huge wave of tears were streaming down her father's face and her mother's face was pouting with beads of sweat and eye corners were wet and red like a glass of ice-cold cranberry juice in the blazing sun!

Hand-cuffs dangling! Margaret had to go now! The appropriate procedure had to be followed before she was released back into the public! So she had to return to the prison to have whatever paper work filled out before she was allowed back into society! Causing her to spend another night on the narrow steel bed with its flimsy cotton sheets!

A change of clothing had to be done before Margaret re-entered the prison population. The guards at the front desk handed her large orange jump-suit and took whatever she wore to the court house! Within minutes she was back amongst the criminals she thought she was free from! Causing a rip of shame to engulf her soul but she had joy in her hear and she told herself! "One more night and I'll be alright!"

All the prison population had their meals together. Who wanted to shower did so while others watched the elevated television; with its limited and supervised programs and some complained about not having enough channels to choose from! And then there were some! Who just sat or lay on their steel bunks with a story book or track - books filled with scriptures from Genesis to Revelation! Until it was time to retire for the night!

Shut-down! Shut-down! Shut-down! The warder called out! It was now eight-thirty and everyone... I mean everyone needed to be on their bunk at this time! No matter what they were doing they would have to drop it and find their bunks so the warder in charge could make her count for the night! And just to make sure! She would check the bathroom to see if any of the inmates were still lurking around in any of the bathroom stalls! And after the count persons were allow a little room to finish whatever they were doing before!

It was almost mid-night! The warder was too tired to keep her eye lids elevated! Her head was on the desk! She was more entering wonder land than paying attention! And the gang of pleasure seeking nincompoop were up for mischief! And all eight of them crawl up to Margaret's bunks and sexually and physically assaulted her! Some holding her hands and feet while two others had their way with her! They also took her food form her concessional list and they even cut her hair! And when they were all done with her they silently took her to the shower and wash her down! Passing the guard who was fast asleep at the desk! Warning Margaret not to say a word or else she wouldn't be out of there anytime soon! One of them even remained on the tiny bunk with her so as to make sure she didn't cause any alarm or alerted the warder that she had been sexually abused!

The emotions streaming through Margaret were various! This was her very first sexual experience! And this wasn't the way she had planned for it to be! The whole situation was paradoxical! Was unreal! Bizarre! Even pleasurable! But yet still criminal! It wasn't consented! It wasn't approved! It was rape and rape of a different kind!

And the following morning Margaret was given an irregular amount of attention! She was help with her breakfast! Her sugar was poured out into her bowl and stirred by one of the young ladies who had had her way with her! And they were now hugging on her as if she was one of them! As if they had known her for a long time! The attention was intriguing but Margaret still knew it was criminal! She had her thinking-cap on! But she couldn't allow her parent to go through another ordeal like the one she had just gotten through and so she sworn to secrecy!

Margaret Chin-zee! Margaret Chin-zee! Were the shout of the warder.

"Please pack your thing; you will be leaving shortly! One of the correction officers will accompany you down stairs soon so you can sign out!" the warder on duty explained.

The gang of nincompoops all wrote their names and numbers on paper and handed it to Margaret before she went through the cell door! Demanding that she keep in touch with them and how much they love her and will see her when they too have gotten release from behind bars!

Margaret had no intention of keeping the list of names. She had intended to throw it in the garbage as soon as she had reached down stairs where her parent and her attorney were waiting for her.

At the front desk Margaret signed the release form and was handed her clothes for society; and then told where to leave the prison attire as soon as she had taken them off! And in a spur of the moment a sixth sense... a gut feeling told her to hold onto the paper for a while longer. And so Margaret stared at the names and number of the eight girls who had given her both pleasure and pain and was withholding a secret of what they had done to her!

It was three months after Margaret release from prison that four of her co-conspires were released also! She didn't call them; but they sure did found her... on the college compound where she had been reinstated to continue her college education! And a relationship was becoming initiated whether or not Margaret liked it! The love and attention they had been protruding on her had distorted the complexity of her emotions and judgment! Margaret was unsure of what to do because some of what she was experiencing through her new found friends made her felt powerful and alive!

And another four months had past and the other four friends were now also release from behind bars. The gang of nine had found out they had more in common than the times they had spent behind bars! And they vow never to return behind the steel bars again! No matter what! But they also vowed to be very careful on how to carry out their wrong deeds!

Four months had past! They planned on robbing a casino this time! But Margaret was very scared to go along with them for the action! She needed a tremendous amount of coercing and coaxing before she gave-in! But she finally did! And before entering the casino lobby Margaret panic! She held onto her chest! The experience of the rapid space in which her heart was beating made her body jolted with fear causing great concern! It was one of her cronies who brought her to the car; gave her some water to drink and caressed her softly as she encouraged her that she can do it! And that they were all in this together and they were family now! As she express promises and comforting gestures of how she wouldn't let anything happen to her because they all had their back! And with the application of those smoothing words Margaret regain inner strength and courage!

And the nine beautiful, brilliant, educated young ladies started an up-roar on the casino floor! Seven started a pretend fight while the other two took every opportunity to grab and pocketed any cash that was placed on the tables without been caught! They were breaking bottles, pulling knives, yelling loudly at each other as they swirl out vicious profanities! They were up in each other faces as if they really were going to fight! And as soon as the nine believed they had made off with enough piles of cash! They walked out of the casino cursing! As if they were sorry to have had left their homes to be there!

The plot of scheming and manipulation for the group of nine had continued and had increased drastically! They were going from shop lifting in the very best of clothing store to the supermarkets! To forging checks! To ripping off various casinos! To robbing hotels and their guest! They would forge wills of the elderly and demented! Claiming they were either relatives or close family friends! So as to gain their inheritances! To scamming seniors on the phone or anyone who was dumb enough to believe their stories or any of their gimmicks! Every place and everyone was no exemption! You name it! They would shake it! Mercy was given to none! Even the sick on the bed would get rob!

And the worst part of it! They didn't need to! Neither did any of them look the part! Because they were coming from well to-do homes; with families who had money... and a good amount of it too! All nine of them were afforded a college education and had acquired good grades too! And had aspired to take on some of the highest areas of professionalism! But somehow, they had succumbed to a life of tricky and badness until it had become tiresome for them!