The SPECTRE Of The VATICAN ©

Chapter 19 - Get Out Of Gaol Free.

Time: Present Day
Location: HereAfter

Carter watched as his young uncle Tony met his new wife, Michelle, Monique's twin sister at the airport. She had been staying with their older sister Margot in Paris. She was attending a Paris Fashion Show for her employer. Michelle was an accomplished fashion designer for her age, and had secured a plum position with Vogue magazine. It enabled her to be the family bridge between the twins and indeed between all the Paris based Chevals and the Sydney based Chevals. The family had been split since Monique's husband had been assigned to oversee the contract with Telecom Australia for his company, Sagem, and had been relocated with his family to Sydney. That was over fifteen years ago. They expected to be in Sydney for a further five years at least and more if the contract was renewed again, unless of course Jean were to be promoted back to Head Office.

Tony brought Michelle up to speed on the drive to the police station.

Carter felt the emotions as the families were reunited at the police station. Michelle hugged her sister Monique, for a long moment, then went on to kiss and hug the children in turn. The tension when the Margates turned up was evident, but had been somewhat mitigated by Don's saving of Amelia's life. Monique explained what had happened to Amelia, and her part in it, to Michelle then, asked if she could talk to her sister alone for a few minutes. Tony ushered them into an empty interview room and then took the Margates down to visit their son in the lockup.

Michelle was shocked when Monique told her that Amelia was pregnant.

"Does she know yet?" asked Michelle.

"No, you are the only one who knows, outside of us and some of the hospital staff and, of course, Don. I asked Don not to tell Jean and also to keep it from Vera and Peter, for the present, but he probably has told his wife."

You have to tell her, Amelia I mean. She has a right to know the truth. Why are you hesitating Monique?"

"I want to talk to Father Dan first, before I tell anyone, especially Jean, I've asked him to meet us here. I just said it was important so he doesn't know either, yet."

Michelle looked puzzled, "What the hell has Father Dan got to do with it?"

"I want to ask him that if Peter is charged with rape can we get an abortion for Amelia. I want to know where the Catholic Church stands on this, where we stand on this!"

"I can't believe you're even contemplating this especially without talking to Amelia first."

"Michelle, look, you know Jean isn't Catholic, you know, I know, what he will want to do about this. He will want it gone, over and done with, no further impact on the family. I know him, trust me. I just want the facts before I confront him on it. You know I feel the same as you do about abortion,at least I think I do, but now maybe I'm not so sure. Oh God! He's here now!"

Carter watched as Father Dan greeted them all rather expectantly.

"Will you come with me Michelle?" Monique pleaded.

"Of course I will, that's why I've come back from Paris to support you. Margot would have come too but they are a bit strapped for cash at the moment, and she is busy with the dress shop."

Michelle asked Tony for somewhere to meet with Father Dan.

"Jesus, what's he doing here?" asked Tony, "this is developing into a Cecil B De Mille production. I'll be running out of interview rooms soon. Oh alright, take room three down the hall that way."

Carter saw his young grandmother usher a confused looking Father Dan into room three.

"What's this all about my child?" asked Father Dan of Monique. Monique explained all that had happened so far. She then asked for a Church ruling if it was indeed rape.