Terminal 1

My Saving Grace...

Same Day...

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you. I didn't sneak out past curfew last night. I was in my bed." Zac yelled as calmly as he could.

"Well, that's not what she said." "Who the fuck is "she"?" He asked, using quotes. "Because whoever "SHE" is, the bitch is fucking lying." He told the officer.

"I have a WIFE, a grandmother. For pete's sake, I have a fucking daughter..." as tears fell from his eyes, while the anger inside of him grew, "I would never put my hands on a woman to harm her, let alone rape her..."

"Well again. She named you verbatim and we have witnesses." "WITNESSES?!?!" "So here we are..." the officer repeated, not giving two shits about his speech.

"Now you either tell us what happened last night or go to jail." "I want my phone call. I want a lawyer." "Fine. But the longer it takes you to confess. The greater the charge..." "I DIDN'T FUCKING DO IT!!!!" He yelled again, no longer able to hold his temper as the officer left the interrogation room.

"What'd ya think?" The officer asked his partner as they looked at Zac pacing the floor through the two-way mirror.

"I don't know.." he says, "I mean yeah. Everything is pointing in his direction but..." he trailed off. "His commanding officer said it's not in his character and all he ever talks about is his wife and daughter. Plus he pissed in the cup with zero hesitation. So IF he went out last night with the other guys, he would've had something in his system."

"Did we get anything on the rape kit yet?" "No, but she's still pretty banged up." "Well let's get him his phone call and get to the bottom of this..." "Yeah, because if he's innocent. That means the real rapist is still out there and we're wasting our time." His partner uttered going into the interrogation room to get Zac.

Buzz, buzz, buzz....Buzz, buzz, buzz

"Babe!!" Beverly calls to Richard, "your phone is buzzing..." "Answer it for me." He called back, getting up from tending to his garden.

"Richard Wilson." "Momma Bev. I need Dad." "Zac?!" She uttered worriedly, rushing over to Richard, who can tell by the look on her face that it's not good.

"Let me see." Richard said as she passed the phone.

"What's up Man?" "Dad. I need a lawyer." "Boi, you didn't ripe anyone to shreds did you?" "No, they're accusing me of rape.." "WHAT?!" "Oh my God!" Beverly gasped with her hand over her mouth.

"I didn't do it." "I know you didn't Son but let me make a phone call." Richard said immediately. "I'm retired from the military and law, but I know someone who can be there within the hour..." "Dad..." "I got you Son just hang in there. I'm two hours away but help is on the way..." he assured him.

Zac leans into the phone. "Please don't tell Fatima." "I won't, but I know you will." Richard said, "I'll see you in a bit." "Thank you." Zac said, hanging up.

"Richard.." Beverly cried, "It's gon' be ok." "But who are you going to call?" She asked. "My mini-me." He uttered with a malicious smile.

Although Richard had rank before he retired from the AirForce himself, he also retired from law shortly after Fatima's sister died. 

To cope with the depression, besides gardening, he decided to teach law at South Texas College of Law.

In doing so, he found a new calling and passion to teach the future lawyers how to be successful "big dog" in the game. And although several students went on to be good. One stood out amongst the crowd as the great...