Okay, this story has gone on far further than I originally intended. I considered a separate story for my characters and now think I will make it a saga until it plays out.
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Karen's croaking in the backseat amused Derek. She was trying hard to overcome the effects of the devoxxing she had sustained that had rendered her voiceless. He knew she was almost as unhappy with being devoxxed as him buying her. Derek wondered if maybe he should have bought one of the home kits the slave sales agent offered. For only fifty dollars, they sold a set of spray cans. One with the devoxxing agent that could last several hours and one with the quick antidote.
"Karen, look over the woman sitting next to you." Derek ordered as he drove. "See if you think she only has superficial injuries that will heal soon. I don't know if you are still a nurse, but I know you still have the skills. When we get to the hospital you can tell me your assessment." Derek saw Wanda looking at him with interest. She was still reeling from learning the woman in the back seat was Derek's ex-wife. He called Lou. He knew she and Sarah were due at the house later that afternoon. "Can you meet me at General Hospital? Yeah the emergency room. No, nobody is hurt. This is a legal matter. I need you as a shyster today." He laughed. "I know you hate that word. I can call you cunt and it doesn't faze you. I call you a shyster and your blood pressure goes through the roof. But seriously. I am in need of some legal expertise. I am on my way there now."
He pulled up in front of the hospital's emergency entrance where the state official had told him to go. As they got out of the car, he asked if Karen thought Cheryl had significant damage. She shook her head and tried to croak a "No". He smiled. That had been his own assessment. He was glad to have it confirmed. Karen had been a significant pain in the ass when they divorced, but he knew she was a brilliant diagnostician. Back then she had certifications in several aspects of nursing. He suspected she had not let her skills lapse.
He knew one other thing. She was not sixty two like her slave records said. She had been born in 1962 and was only fifty eight. Somehow the court system had messed up the year of her birth. They had used the 62 as her age rather than the year of her birth. Derek resolved to set the record straight. For now, he kept those thoughts to himself.
Katherine Douglas, the state agent, waited for them inside. She directed Cheryl to see the physician. Derek said that as her owner, he would go along and listen in but would not interfere with her investigation. "I am sorry I was so abrupt before." she offered Derek in private. "When you stepped in, I got upset. I hate to see slaves totally abused. Don't get me wrong. Using a slave is perfectly fine. But there has to be limits."
"Yes, Ma'am." Wanda said from behind. 'Like you used me last weekend with Ms Sarah's permission." Ms Douglas turned and blushed at seeing the slave standing close.
"Ms. Katherine was at the party last weekend." Wanda told Derek. Katherine blushed. Derek managed to keep from laughing. The woman had obviously not recognized Wanda who was clothed and with conservative makeup instead of the full slut makeup the girls all had worn.
"Oh! You are the guy." Katherine said. "Sarah told me a little about her deal to use a man's slaves."
"Okay. So I know we will not have a problem." Derek said. "Oh, I fully intend to testify to what that woman admitted to doing. But the retention of my slaves is a priority. Lou is on her way to protect my interests." Katherine told him immediately that would not be a problem and she would be very grateful for his cooperation.
Lou arrived with Sarah. Wanda apprised her of the situation. A nurse escorted Lou back to the examination room. She walked in to find a nude young woman pulling on her scrub bottoms. Lou's eyes widened at the display of bruised flesh. Katherine Douglas was putting away her notepad. Lou knew she been taking notes and recording the conversation as the doctor examined the young slave girl. "I need to confer with my client." Lou said quickly. Ms Douglas assured Lou that Derek was not in need of an attorney. He was a witness and the new owner of the slave.
"The doctor actually confirmed Derek's earlier assessment of the slave's condition." Ms Douglas declared. "I will let you talk to him. I know where I am going to take this case. I had the slave's owner and the woman who appears to have done the actual abuse taken to my office. They have not been charged...yet. I have an officer still at the slave sale building. He should be finished soon. He called me and told me he has statements and even a video one of the staff made."
Derek had a brief conversation with Lou and then asked Sarah to take Wanda and the two new slaves home, handing her his keys.. Sarah nodded and ushered the slaves back to Derek's car. Lou agreed with Derek's suggestions as she drove to Katherine Douglas' office.
"Katherine is a regular detective but she also is in charge of the abuse division. She is like the ASPCA for slaves. Use them but don't abuse them. She would be quick to approve while you blister a slave's butt for talking back but once that crosses the line and turns to actual abuse, she would nail you like a bulldog. Plus I want you to think of her like the district attorney's office. She needs some 'wins' to make her office look good. Katherine told me she has an easy conviction here. I know her well enough to know she is probably right without really examining the evidence. We might get a little mitigation. My question is WHY do you want to get involved. You own the slave the women abused. Why do you want to help them in their defense?"
"I think the woman's daughter is bit of a victim here, too. I mean she screwed around with the slave's late husband so she sort of deserved some retribution like get her ass kicked, but she is suffering physically now. Her mother torturing the girl should not get her into trouble. I don't think she was in a position physically or emotionally to step in."
Lou entered Ms Douglas' office and identified herself to the officer there. Katherine had called ahead. She introduced herself to Kat and her mother, Lisa. "The man who bought your slave has asked me to check on you and offer my legal services if you do not already have an attorney. I am not here to represent you unless you hire me, but I will give you a consultation to help you along. I have been brought up to speed."
The older woman began to ask questions. "What is this gonna cost?" she asked abruptly.
Her daughter interrupted. "Mom, stop it! I want to know where we stand. I'm sorry Ma'am, my name is Kat Richard and this is my mother, Lisa. I am grateful for you stopping by to help and give us some advice. But I would like to know. Is this one of those free consultations? I have a little money from the sale of the slave but not much in savings."