Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns

Chapter 33

I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds on ao3

Even in the pouring rain the reporters were camped before the courthouse for the second day of arraignments. They flocked around Nell like black crows as soon as they caught sight of him. Their ghoulish wings were sodden raincoats flapping in the wind. Their raucous cries emphasized only by the clicking of their cameras, the sound of beaks snapping down on prey.

Nell tried to push through them, but as their words clogged the air, their bodies blocked his path.

"Detective Nell, is it true that you were the one to bring this case to the attention of the Maine State Police?"

"Detective Nell, who was your source?"

"No comment," Nell said, brushing past the reporters with some difficulty. He began taking the steps two at a time, trying not to look like he was running.

"Is it true that the DA's office is offering Butch Bowers a deal?"

"Can you speak to what will happen to the Derry Delinquents after this?"

Nell froze. He turned. "The what?"

"The children of the ring who are still in police custody: the Bowers, the Hockstetters, and Corcoran boys?"

"Why aren't the others in custody? Protective or otherwise?"

The reporters seemed to hang on the silence with baited breath. Within his coat pocket, unseen to them, Nell tightened his balled his hand into a tight fist. What he wouldn't give to just start swinging, damage their precious cameras. He swallowed down the fury. It would do him no good, but still his words came out sharper than he intended.

"You are not to create a cutesy nickname to infantilize these suspects. Many of them were aware of the physical and emotional harm they were causing and enjoyed it. They are not some internet darling which you can hang your claim to fame on. They are not misunderstood and are not to be romanticized. But it makes for a good story, right? Incompetent police holding children who despite the evidence should be pardoned due to their youth and misguided parenting. You should be ashamed of yourselves."

The reporter who asked the initial question was clearly taken aback by his tone.

Before they could ask him anything else, Nell ducked into the courthouse.

Inside the doors he saw Sadie watching him with a calculating look. She had seen the whole thing.

"You shouldn't have done that."

"I know."

"It won't help them." Them being Robert Gray's former wards.

"I know."

"The press has already formed their own opinions. Right now they believe all the children to be victims of their parents' abuse. They don't know the difference between Mike and Bill and the Hockstetters or Bowers because no one has told them what to think. We have to shift the narrative, but they will never accept it if you go throwing tantrums. You don't live or work here, Detective. These people are hard-headed New Englanders, set in their ways. That is not the way to convince them they are wrong. Trust me on this."

"You're right, Sadie. I'm sorry."

"Good. Now let's go prepare for another long day."

They walked through security together, Nell waiting as Security paused to scan Sadie's bag, and headed back to courtroom 3A. He was aware of the squelch of his shoes in the cavernous halls, and he did his best to minimize it. He couldn't help but feel like he was only drawing more attention to himself, and after what had happened out front that was the last thing he wanted to do.