prosecution

Andrew and Molly Part 25

They found Aggie on the cabin floor grimly clutching Bartle’s hand where he had collapsed. Blood leaked from his right ear. He made no response to Aggie’s pleas. The two little girls clung to Abbie’s dress tail, crying.

Perkins, the bondsman, and Andrew lifted the unresponsive man to the bed. Aggie gently got him settled and staunched the blood oozing from his ear. His breathing was raspy and irregular.

“I’ve seen this before,” pronounced Aggie glumly. “He’ll not live. He’s in God’s hands now.” Stoically, she pulled a chair to keep vigil.

Molly spoke to Rosemarie. “Take all the young ones over to my house and get them fed and abed. You’ll need to get supper for the men when their day is through. I’ll sit with Aggie.”

They sat quietly through the long evening. Aggie broached the subject of Andrew’s return. “Bartles deeply grieved Andrew’s capture. We had come to love you both and feared for your future. We were overjoyed when Master Wharton married you and took you under his protection. Your babes have filled our hearts with love. When Andrew returned, Bartles hoped you’d be joined again in marriage.”

Molly answered Aggie. “I loved Andrew. I prayed for his return. Things are not so simple since I have children. I don’t even know if I am still married to Andrew since I married the master. If my marriage to the master was true, his land will go to my children. The reverend who insisted I marry is dead and cannot speak for me now. If I am still married to Andrew, I might be judged an adulterer and sold back into bondage. My children might be judged bastards. I could be jailed. If questions are raised, who knows where the law leaves either me or Andrew? I fear approaching the law. Who knows what will happen to me and my children?

Consequences

A straightforward, impressive woman, Eva was a CPA working for a prestigious business firm in Washington DC. Her husband Charles was a CPA for the federal government. Together, they had built an enviable life including a beautiful home in the suburbs with five children. A nanny/housekeeper cared for their home and children.

Things went well for about fifteen years until an audit revealed that Eva had been doing a bit creative bookkeeping. When it all unraveled, Eva was given the choice of prosecution or repayment. As you would expect from someone who was embezzling, Eva and Charles had no cash reserves.

They sold their house. Charles borrowed from his retirement and both cashed in their whole life insurance. By hook or crook, Eva was able to repay what she’d stolen and avoid prison. Of course, she lost her CPA credentials. Charles’s job was unaffected.

They took the last of their meager funds and bought a tent which they pitched in a national park. Along with their children, they crowded into the tent with their business clothes. Eva got another job in business, though not as a CPA.

Every morning, the family dressed in the bath house at the park and headed off to work and school. The kids caught the bus at the park entrance. They lived this way for six months until they managed to save up for an apartment. They had to move their tent every two weeks to meet park requirements. The kids rather liked the perpetual camping though Eva and Charles were heartily glad to get a roof over their heads again.

Despite their setbacks, the couple managed to stay together till most of their children were grown, eventually divorcing for some other reason. When I knew Eva, she was in her sixties and my children’s summer caregiver. I was thoroughly surprised when she told me this story and often wondered how her story played out afterwards.