I'm there, right by your side

20 - Gathering Evidence

Once back in the front office she studied her notes. "He spoke of a John Smith, does he have a file here?"

"Yes." They handed her his file. "No criminal record before, unlike Kelly. Must be new to the area as we can't find much about him." Katherine tried her hardest not to scoff, knowing the truth herself.

"Can I see the wallet in question too? I want to be able to describe it in my article." They got it out but refused to let her touch it. "How much cash was inside?"

"$15" he said. "Quite a lot of money for what the boy claimed to be his. He's a Newsie. Key part of the strike, he's been around here and the old refuge a lot."

"Okay. Thank you sir. Anything else in there?"

"A key and a drawing. I've no idea who keeps a key in their wallet."

"Oh, Mr Kelly mentioned to me of a card, stating his employment to Joseph Pulitzer and The World newspaper as a cartoonist. Also my boyfriend keeps his key to my apartment in his wallet as he doesn't need it on the regular."

"I can't see a card here stating any employment." Katherine sighed, maybe it had fallen out or in a different pocket. She wanted them to find it but decided not to question again. She kept going though the two files for a while before deciding to get going. She thanked the officers and left. She first went to the theatre, knocking on the stage door. It was swiftly opened by a man she didn't recognise.

"Is Miss Medda Larkin around. I'm here from the Sun Newspaper and I'd like to question her on something. Tell her it's Katherine Plumber."

"Of course Miss Plumber. Come on in." She followed the man and was seated. Soon Medda arrived and hugged her.

"Katherine dear. What can I do for you today?"

"Jack's been arrested."

"WHAT? HOW? WHEN? He was here just 2 hours ago."

"I know. Firstly I need to know how much you paid him today."

"$10 in cash. I also owe him another $10 I just didn't have that available to give him."

"Okay. I need you to be at the police stations hearing room tomorrow morning 8am sharp. You're a valuable witness to the situation. Here's what's happened." She explained the whole story, trying not to cry.

"You can count on me being there dear. I can't believe this has happened to him. Poor boy. Stay strong Katherine and you'll get though this."

"Thank you. I have to go talk to a few others now." She said goodbye and then left to go find Davey and Crutchie. She found them at the lodge and took them off to the rooftop and told them the situation.

"He will get though this." Davey said hugging her tightly.

"I sure hope so." Kath sighed. "Can you tell the other boys he's home with me tonight. And that he's working on an illustration tomorrow. So won't be around. I'm sure the boys will find out the truth in the morning possibly. I know there was a journalist from the world that also spoke to Jack in his cell about it. But I don't know when the article will come out."

"Okay. We will see you tomorrow Kath. You and Jack. Because he will win this. I know it."

"Thanks Crutchie. I now need to go talk to my father. Wish me luck." She then headed to her fathers office nervously. "Hello Hannah. Is my father available? I have to talk to him urgently."

"I think so, let me check for you dear." She knocked and went in. "Mr Pulitzer, your daughter is here, she'd like to talk. She says it's urgent."

"Tell her I have a reporter in here but that she's welcome to come join us." Hannah nodded and let Katherine enter. "Good afternoon Katherine, you remember John Balderstone."

"Of course, good afternoon Mr Balderstone."

"And to you Miss Pulitzer."

"It's Plumber." She said quickly. "I'm actually here sort of on business rather than personal reasons."

"Have you heard about Jack?" Joseph asked his daughter. She nodded and looked down sadly.

"Yes father. I have. That's why I'm here. I'd like to invite to you to come along to the public questioning and hearing tomorrow. I need to be there as evidence of Jack's employment as your cartoonist. His card was in the wallet stolen from him, which he's been accused of stealing. I don't know how much information he revealed to you Mr Balderstone. But John Smith isn't John Smith. He's actually William Kelly, Jack's father. Ever since his release from prison 3 months ago he's been trying to ruin Jack. He's attacked him multiple times in the streets and this time got the cops involved. That wallet he had was the gift I got him for his 18th birthday." Katherine said sitting in a chair, beginning to cry.

"He did inform me of all of that." Mr Balderstone said nodding.

"I just want him safe. He's completely innocent. He could have attacked his father back, but he didn't
Because as he told you on my birthday father. He's nothing like his father, he's changed and he's a good guy. He was so beaten up father, he looked awful. I just want him to be out of there and okay. I want him back in my arms, where I feel safe and where he feels safe." She whimpered.

"Katherine dear. I will be there Tomorrow. And if there's any fine or bail he has to pay so he can be out of there, I'll cover it. I can see how much he means to you and I trust that he'd tell his own girlfriend the truth about what happened, especially as it links to what he told us at your birthday meal. And also your two stories seem to both have all the same information," he went over to his daughter, stood her up and hugged her. "This will be okay Katherine."

"Thank you Father. I should head home. I have a very important article to write. One that may be more important to my life than the strike was." Joseph nodded.

"Head home, write that article and get some rest. You have a busy morning." 

"Thank you. Goodnight." She left and went home getting to work. She finished her article by 7pm and rushed to the offices to hand it in so it would be printed that night and make the morning paper.