Page 70 of Precise Justice

“Almost. A couple more weeks.”

“Good. You’re not in any trouble, are you?”

“No, no, not at all. I, ah, not at all. I, ah, need a favor,” Robbie said.

“Don’t you know? Lawyers are like hookers, they don’t do favors,” Marc answered.

Robbie went silent and after ten to fifteen seconds Marc said, “I’m kidding, Robbie. What do you need?”

“Oh, um, good. Well, I need, I mean, I remember you saying you know a reporter at the Star Tribune.”

“I do, Philo Anson. He’s a bit of an oddball but a good reporter. Why, what’s up?”

“Well, okay, here it is…”

Robbie went on to tell Marc the entire story about trans girl rapes and assaults. She even told him about confronting Junior Bonner atThe Blue Lagoonand Junior’s suicide.

“The thing is, Marc, no one cares, at least not the police. A couple of the girls, I know one personally, went to the police and they made a joke about it. One of the girls in St. Paul, her name is Carolyn Weaver, she was beaten and stabbed several times. At first the doctors weren’t sure she would live.”

“I’ll tell Philo about her only if he promises to get her written permission to use her name. I know him, he’ll agree.”

“Oh, yeah, thanks. I meant to ask. I’ll talk to him if he promises to use me anonymously.”

“And none of this has been reported and the cops aren’t doing anything?”

“The St. Paul cops took a report from Carolyn…”

“They were called by the hospital. Was she in Regions?”

“Yes. Yeah, she was. Now she comes to our group meetings…”

“What group meetings?”

Robbie took a couple minutes to tell Marc about the trans girls support group and their meetings.

“Okay, so you know her, this Carolyn?”

“Yes. She says the cops took her report and haven’t gotten anywhere. She’s pissed off about it. They never call her. If she wants an update, she has to call them.”

“Do you know their names, the detectives?” Marc asked.

“No, but she would, Carolyn would. What do you think? Will the reporter do the story?”

“Of course I can’t say for sure. But this is the kind of stuff Philo loves. Taking shots at the authorities. I’ll call him and let you know what he says.

“Anything else? What are your plans for after high school?”

“I’m going to Saint Kate’s,” Robbie said.

“Good school, especially for…” Marc stopped, hesitating to say it.

“Women,” Robbie said. “It’s co-ed, you know,” then she laughed.

“I know, sorry. That’s great. Good luck,” Marc said.

“I should go. I’ve kept you long enough. If you need to bill me for…”

“I’m not billing you for this,” Marc said. “This is important. I’ll give Philo a kick in the ass and if that doesn’t work, I’ll have Maddy call him. He’s totally smitten. He’ll do anything for her. I’ll stay in touch Robbie and I’m glad you called.”

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