Unleashed Desires

Chapter 2

As I sat in the courtroom, I found myself facing a familiar situation. The prosecution and defense attorneys were present, as were the defendants. The prosecutor then pulled me aside to discuss the case.

“They are contesting the search warrant. They claim that you could not have seen the horses from a legal standpoint. The only way to see them is to come onto the property, and they did not permit you to do so,” she explained.

I took a deep breath and responded, “I parked my car in the driveway and saw the horses from there. I knocked on the door, but no one answered. So, I walked to the fence that met the driveway and yelled to see if someone was in the barn and would come out. No one answered, and I had a clear view of the horses. I did not enter the fence.”

The prosecutor listened intently and replied, “Okay, we can use that to challenge their claim. We just need to make sure we have all the facts straight. Thank you for your input.”

I nodded and returned to my seat, feeling more confident about the case. My actions were justifiable, and I hoped the court would see it that way.

I returned to my seat in the gallery, scanning the room for any familiar faces. And then I saw him, the deputy from the night before, sitting a few seats away. My heart skipped a beat. What was he doing here? I raised a questioning eyebrow at him, and he scoffed in response.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I got up from my seat and walked over to him. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I thought I'd come to see how your case turns out," he smirked. "You seemed a little worried last night, and you also seem new at this. I thought maybe I could help you learn a thing or two."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should trust him. But then I remembered how he had helped me the night before and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Why would you do that?" I asked, baffled by the stranger's sudden generosity.

"Because I know how it feels to be a rookie, and I also know that you may be sworn in as a Peace Officer, but you don't need any training to be a cruelty investigator. So just say I am doing for you what I wish would have been done for me when I started," he explained.

He handed me a book titled Ohio Revised Code. "This version is on the Ohio Animal Laws. Thought you might like to read it," he added.

"Thanks," I said, still too surprised to say anything else.

He stood up and said, "Good luck. Maybe I'll see you around and can answer any questions you have in that book."

Then he walked away, leaving me stunned and grateful for his unexpected kindness.

As my case was called, I took the stand and was duly sworn to testify. The prosecutor questioned me briefly before submitting some photographs into evidence. I was then cross-examined by the defense attorney, who grilled me about my location, my perspective, and what I had witnessed. After my testimony, the judge delivered his verdict, ruling my warrant was invalid because I had obtained the evidence illegally. The judge pointed out that although I had testified about the muddy environment, the overgrown hooves indicated that I had only known about the mud if I had obtained that knowledge illegally.

I need to note that the attorney did the job he was paid to do, but I can't shake the feeling that I let down those horses. During my testimony, the attorney was able to trip me up, preventing me from sharing a crucial piece of evidence. The dry mud on those horses' legs, extending up to their knees, would have shown their hooves were overgrown. Despite dedicating six months and significant resources to this case, the outcome was not in our favor. The shelter will have to relinquish the animals to their previous owners, and it's devastating.

My sense of defeat and self-anger is overwhelming. I have given my all to this case, but victory seems beyond my reach. I have no choice but to make a solemn promise to myself and the creatures I have pledged to defend - I will not let another case slip through my fingers.

I have a nagging suspicion that the County Commissioner's relation to them may have influenced the outcome. I vow never to let this happen again in my efforts to save animals, regardless of anyone's connections or associations.

Upon my return to the workplace, my colleagues were eager to hear any updates. I shared the news with them, but my mother truly understood the weight of my job. She often reminds me that I possess the most empathetic and compassionate heart out of her three children. Despite my doubts and fears, she assures me that with time and experience, I will become a skilled and effective Cruelty Investigator.

The bastards who claimed ownership of the horses arrived, demanding only the colt's return. The elderly mare was of no worth to them. But that's not the worst of it. As a twisted form of torture, they loaded the colt into a trailer and left it in their driveway for all to see. The prosecutor's response was infuriating, claiming that as long as the animals had basic necessities, they were within their rights. It's enough to make my blood boil.

I'm completely powerless here. There's not a damn thing I can do within the confines of the law. It's like how child protective services must feel when they know damn well abuse is happening, but they're still stuck playing by the rules.

As the sun began its descent, the clock struck five, and I wrapped up another day of work. My mother and I made our way to pick up Nevada, our little bundle of joy. Upon reaching home, I tended to my horse before taking Nevada for a leisurely ride around the farm. Her infectious laughter warmed my heart, reminding me of all the good in the world. As I let go of my worries, I couldn't help but think of the day someone will hurt my loved ones, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect them.