B&C III - 27

Brian and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 27


The police officer at the side stepped over and stood in front of the door. Mother Magda went back to her seat but didn’t sit. She was watching the door. They were all watching the door.

After about 5 minutes when no one came through it, Magda went over to the officer and said “Listen, I am that girl’s legal guardian and I’m responsible for her. Let me pass.”

“No, Ma’am” said the officer.

“What’s your name?”

“Fogarty, Ma’am”

“What’s your first name?”

“Carl.”

“Well, Carl. “I’m sure you can understand a mother’s concern for her child. I am now a mother to her since she is an orphan, and I’m very concerned for her well being. On that basis I ask you to let me into that room so that I can at least see that she’s okay.”

“No, Ma’am.”

“Get out of my way!” Mother Magda pushed the officer aside and opened the door. “Christine” she hollered and started into the room.

Judge Weinstein appeared at the door, stood in Magda’s way and said “I told you to return to your seat.”

“I need to know what’s going on in here.”

“When you’re needed you will be called. Now sit down.”

“No, that’s not good enough. I’m in charge of her. Let me in.”

“I can step up to this bench, bang the gavel down, declare this court in session and have you in contempt. Do you understand that?”

Magda was silent.

“Officer Burnside” called the judge.

“Yes, Your Honor” came a voice from the back of the room.

“Will you please conduct this woman to her seat and see that she stays there?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

A large, imposing female police officer came down the aisle, walked over to Mother Magda and said “Let’s go.”

Magda didn’t move, so Burnside took her by the arm.

“Get your hands off of me, I’m a nun.”

“I don’t care. Let’s go.”

Magda was taken to her chair. She sat while Burnside stood beside her, her arms folded across her ample chest.

Judge Weinstein returned to the room and closed the door. Officer Fogarty resumed his place in front of it.

Another 15 minutes went by. Mother Magda took a cell phone out of her pocket and started to dial a number.

Officer Burnside said “Put that away, please. Cell phones are not allowed in the hearing room.

“No. This is important” she said, and continued to dial.

Burnside reached down quickly and took it from her.

“It will be returned to you at the end of the session” said Burnside, and put it in her pocket.

There was a knock on the rear door. The policeman opened it and ushered in two more officers who took various places around the room.

Another 10 minutes went by. There was another know on the door. Three men entered. Two of the men wore suits; the third was another police officer. The three of them went to the door at the back, spoke quietly to the guard who opened the door and let them in.


(To be continued.)