K-9 Trials

[Kev Allison]

“Hey it’s a great room very you and there’s nothing wrong with long gone teenage years and who needs to grow up. We’re adults a whole lot longer than kids so might as well be kids as long as possible.” Kev said smiling, her room was very Mattie or at least what he knew of her so far it seemed to suit her well.

“Thanks.” He said as he walked over to the captain style chair in the corner Kev took a seat as he watched Mattie settle on the bed with Koda. “It’s nice that you did that, I can imagine a few people who wouldnt make that sacrifice.” Kev said smiling warmly at her. “Well you’re not crazy from where I am, besides talking to people works and the best conversations can be had that way.” Kev said with a grin though it was nice to hear she still spoke to her sister.

“Your mum seems great and if the two of you talk to her and it helps, you’re not crazy at all.” Kev said smiling, “So did you do this often as a kid invite people to climb up to your window?” he asked smiling, “I mean not that I’m against it at all. It’s great spending time with you.”

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

Mattie laughed. "It was more a trick I used when I needed to get away for a while," she explained, "although my conscience would always get the better of me, so I was never gone long...heck, I was a girl scout, and I don't mean the kind that sells cookies!"

Even though she hadn't fooled around when she was a kid, just having that knowledge that she could come and go when she wanted to had made her have a sense of freedom that she hadn't really needed to use much.

"Well, I did have a few people up, but like I said, I was a girl scout, and really sort of ignorant back then, so there wasn't much more than...this..." She waved her hand. "Sitting and talking, listening to the radio. Mom wasn't so lost then, but then, Dad was still here."

She shook her head. "Well, you aren't here to listen to my woes, and it's been a long day...I just wanted a chance to say thank you, and I'd understand if Mom kind of scares you off."

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

“We all have those days.” Kev said smiling though it was a neat trick, he wished he could have done something like that as it would have made sneaking around the Allison family home a little easier. “Ah so you’re that kind of girlscout.” He said grinning at her. “Well it’s good to have a conscience and at least you can still use the way in and out so it has worked being a girl scout.”

Kev wasnt really used to have freedom as a kid, his family had been the sort that if he had dirt on him at all it was a major incident. No he was to be present and correct at all times and available for the family wheel out to a country club or the likes. He hated it but at least now he had the ability to be the black sheep of the family and have his own freedom.

“Well sitting, talking and listening to a radio sounds like a pretty great way to spend time. It’s not often you get to spend much time doing that so it’s nice. But I guess every girl scout is entitled to be ignorant and better that way too.” He said with a smile though it was nice to know she had been as given his job he had seen a few child hoods ruined for pretty simple reasons.

“I am and I can listen to you all day Mattie, talk all you need to.” Kev said as he chuckled and shook his head. “No need to say thanks, it’s me who should be thanking you. Besides your mum is great, she makes cookies and they are amazing even if they will make me fluffy.” He teased, “But she doesn’t scare me off at all. I’m just worried about you.”

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

Well, at least he was still here, and there was something to be said for that, although she knew her mother could wear on one over time. But she wasn't going to worry about that right now, she was just going to relax and enjoy adult company that wasn't demented or overly-serious.

"Well, I could pour out my life story, but I'd hate to bore you to tears or ruin the mood...there's been enough angst for the day."

Besides, her mother was the least of her story, an obligation but not anything that weighed her down like the other things, things that were still raw and private.

Mattie laughed, then reached over to scratch Koda's ears. "Now, the mutt here...he was born in Noway...that's why I had to learn commands in Norwegian, and sometimes he looks at me like I'm speaking gibberish!"

The dog looked over at her, then let out a loud sigh and sauntered over to Kevin and laid his big head in the man's lap.

"Oh, traitor!" Mattie laughed again. "No kibble for either of you!"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev wasnt the sort to really scare off easily, family was complicated for everyone and sure she hadn’t met his parents yet so there was time for Mattie to run to the hills. Or he had a few ex’s that were just as scary so who knew. “Hey you couldn’t bore me at all, I sit through court to trust me it would take a lot to do that.” He said with a smile. “But if you want to talk you know i’m here right?”

“Ah Norway so yeah I don’t speak Norwegian so anything I say, I guess that why he looks at me that way too.” Kev said grinning, “Then again I’m not telling him what he has to do but must be tough having to learn a whole new language and set of commands?” He asked not entirely sure how it worked but learning a new language anyway was tough enough.

“Ouch no kibble and I was looking forward to that.” Kev said as he patted Koda’s head lightly. “Just don’t tell Mattie, I know where the cookies are and we can share.” He whispered grinning at both of them. “You know all in all it’s been a pretty great day apart from a few bumps here and there so I think kibble all around. Plus i probably have cookie crumbs stuck to me which explains Koda’s interest.” Kev added chuckling.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Yeah, cookie crumbs, that explains it." Mattie laughed and shook her head. "This is my room, you know, no fair ganging up on me! Oh, I forgot!"

Swinging off the bed, she grabbed a bag that had been sitting on the dresser, then reached in and pulled out Koda's trophy and ribbon. "We have to put these up! So, where should they go?"

The trophy shelves were pretty full, but maybe a bit of rearranging...

"Let's see...get rid of this...and this..." She held up a couple of trophies that had dog figures on them, and Koda barked. "Well, what about these?" The dog barked again, and then there was a shout.

"Mattie? What are you doing up there?"

"Nothing, Mom! Sorry, we'll be quiet!" She glanced at Kev and laughed quietly. "So, um," she whispered, "what do you think?"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“We’re not ganging up on you, we just know who has the best cookies... great minds and all.” Kev said with a grin as he watched Mattie get off the bed and grab her bag. When she pulled out Koda’s ribbon and trophy with everything else that had happened that day Kev had almost forgotten that Koda had won.

“Pride of place I’d guess because you both were rock stars today, not just in the agility trials but in everything else too.” Kev stated knowing that it had taken a lot for Mattie to do what she had done. He watched her rearrange the shelves as he patted Koda’s head happily. Kev was chuckling when he heard her mother shout, yeah time for him to be super quiet he thought though he figured it was Koda’s barking that had her attention.

“That looks great, but I think you’ll need a few more shelves put up soon if you keep on winning.” He added grinning at her. “And I’m sure you both will too. You guys must be the most decorated team in the Chicago PD looking at these walls.”

It was easy to see the amount of effort that had gone into things simply by the ribbons and trophies along. He was amazed at just how many they had but he was glad he had been there to see them both win another one. They were all very well deserved plus he would make sure to get Mattie one for the day in general as well.

Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Not even close, but Koda is pretty smart. No, the most decorated K9 was 'Buddy'...he was killed protecting his handler back in 2002." She glanced at Koda and sighed, then continued. "But I guess you're right," she moved some trophies to make room for the new one, "one more project to add to the list! New shelves..." Quick and easy compared to most of her list!

"It's funny, but Mom was the one who encouraged me to get a K9...said I needed something in my life and it wasn't a man! Well, she liked dogs a couple years ago."

For a moment she was silent, then she shook her head. "Guess that's part of the disease, forgetting from day to day what you like...what you know."

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Well Buddy sounds like a great partner but I am sure that Koda is most decorated too.” He said smiling though he didnt want to even think what Koda might do to protect Mattie. “If you want I can help you with that? I might not be good at a lot of things but how difficult is putting up a shelf?” He asked grinning before he shook his head, “Don’t answer the difficulty but yeah I’ll help you with it if you want?”

He could see him nailing the wood backwards to the wall or something strange but still, a shelf was a shelf. They came with instructions and everything these days so he had a law degree, a shelf wasnt about to beat him. “I’m sure she still likes dogs and you know what they say, a dog is a man or womans best friend and could be better than man too.” He said smiling as he nodded listening to her talk about her mum.

“It’s still there, just might take some digging to get to it. It’s good that you’re here though, you can spend time with her. It might be forgotten today but tomorrow who knows.” Kev said smiling trying to think of the positives to the situation.

Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

Mattie let out a breath and nodded slowly. Sensing her change in mood, Koda came over and nudged his big wet nose under her hand, and she idly stroked it.

"I keep hoping, but the sad thing is, I had a taste of what a 'real' life could be, what a real family is." And, sadly, that wasn't going to happen again for her until her mother was out of the picture...and then she felt bad that she felt that way, and then she felt that she shouldn't feel bad, and then...

Well, maybe, if Kev hung around long enough, she might feel that she could talk to him about all this, not for a response, but just to say it out loud to another human being -- Koda knew all about it! Still, that trust was a ways off yet, as much as she knew it would be good for her.

"Anyway, sure, I'll take help with the shelves...the key is making sure they aren't crooked...or at least so crooked that everything slides off one end!" She could just see everything ending up in a heap on the floor one night and her sleeping right through it!

"Funny thing is, with my job, I know how bad things can be, and I have it easy compared to a lot of people...I don't have any room to complain, but it sure feels good!

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

Kev watched Mattie a moment as he saw Koda go to her. There was something off about her mood he thought as he listened to a life she might have had before. “Real life and real family?” He asked not entirely sure but he felt here was more to the story there before he realised he was probably asking too much. “Sorry. I shouldn’t ask I just forget I’m not trying to get information sometimes.” He offered trying to smile a little.

Not in a court room or harassing a witness he thought as he maybe spent a little too much time at work. Kev had a family sure, a brother, sister in law, nephews and nieces and parents too but then it didnt much help he hadn’t joined the family firm of lawyers. No he worked for the other side, the side that didnt pay mega bucks and he shied away from the country club lifestyle his family preferred. No he had enough of that as a kid and didnt want to continue.

“Great, I can manage shelves and sure none crooked shelves coming up. Or we just put another peice of wood either end to make sure nothing falls off.” He joked grinning at her as figured having a shelf full of things collapse in the middle of the night was likely a really bad idea. “Your job is a tough job and sure you have every right to complain all you like. Besides it helps if you can talk to someone and get things out of your head.” Kev said smiling, “And you can talk to me all you want to.”

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Sure, you say that now, but one of these days I'm going to take you up on that and then you'll be looking for my gun sou you can put yourself out of my misery!"

Mattie laughed, but then she became more serious. "Thank you, you've already made a great listener, and it doesn't feel like an interrogation at all. Maybe that's your skill? Making an interrogation feel like a friendly conversation?

That was certainly an acquired skill, both in the field and courtroom, and she had seen both good and bad. Heck, she'd seen cops grilling the parents of a SIDS baby, only adding to the pall of unwarranted guilt to everything else they were dealing with, and she'd seen attorneys get a confession without the person even realizing what they'd said.

"I'll have to watch you in action sometime, you know, sit in the back and make you nervous, make faces at you!"

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Hey you know something, I wouldn’t have offered if I wasnt sure and there’s no way I’d be doing that all.” Kev said chuckling, “So throw whatever you want at me.” Kev was one of those people who was serious about what he said, if he said it he meant it and there was no two ways about it.

“Ha oh I doubt that I can be pretty unfriendly if I have to be. Thanks though I know I ask a lot of questions but I guess it’s my job so you can always just tell me to shut up too.” He said knowing that he usually got it in the ear from cops telling him to shut up then again this was a little different to that.

Kev liked to think he was good at his job but then again half the battle was to get people to talk without feeling like they were saying the wrong thing. Get a chatty person on the stand and it just made the day easier, have a clam on the stand and he might have to do a little digging to figure out what was what first. Then again that was where the homework paid off, it wasnt like he ever left school when the checking and rechecking facts came into play.

“Oh you should come along sometime, it’d be great to have you there but I’d hope you dont though the faces might help a little. Court can be boring when you’re listening to a defence lawyer say the five words ‘My client didnt do it’. So make all the faces you’d like to it’s would make my day.” He said with a grin wondering if she would. Then again court for cops he guessed it wasnt a place they really wanted to hang around too much.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI

[Mattie Chappel]

"Sure, I can do that, anything to break up the monotony for you, right?" Mattie made a quick little face, fleeting but silly, then shrugged. "It might be interesting to watch a trial where I'm not on the hot seat, testifying. I mean, we're just there for our own part, we don't get to see the whole thing." They weren't allowed to watch the rest of a trial that the were involved in and she really didn't want to be.

"So, seeing the whole process might be fun...and frustrating, like you said. Honestly, on the stand, the defense makes you feel like you were the one who's guilty, or at least as much as fault as the perp."

She grinned, then laughed. "I blame Koda! He did it!" Yeah, all cops hated court, it took up too much time and often seemed pointless.

"And I won't bring my gun, so I'm not tempted!

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

MIND YOUR MANNERS

and tell the truth

“Yeah you would definitely break it up. Be glad to see you there.” He said with a grin chuckling at the face she made. “See it’s different when you’re no on the stand and I’m not trying to poke holes in a story you’re telling then again we both work for the good side. So seeing it through is good fun sometimes, you guys only get to see us at our worst, usually we are nice.” Kev added though it wasnt like he could just take out the part of cops testifying in court.

Nope he hated having to pull someone to pieces as much as the next person but it was needed it was needed and he had a job to do. “Yeah I’ve no idea how those guys sleep at night, at least at our side I can see a guilty or innocent person. The evidence laid out and my story is at least true. The defence teams, I get they have a job too but defending the wrong person. I did that once and wont ever do it again.” Kev explained knowing it had been the end of his military career the minute he did it.

Not that the military kicked him out, far from it. He had done his job as a lawyer and he worked both prosecution and defence but this time the guy was guilty and Kev knew it. There wasnt a thing he could do to stop it or say anything thanks to a lawyer client privilege clause but then again it happened. Innocent people went to jail and guilty ones went free, the job wasnt perfect but he knew what side he wanted to be on.

“Aww poor Koda getting the blame.” Kev pouted at her for a moment before he chuckled. “Oh if you did I think there might be a line to use it in some cases. Not that I want to play judge and jury but sometimes you just know who did it and why. Then again I’d happily defend you of any charges.” Kev added with a grin.

Tag: Mattie Chappel

SWANSKI