Since Steven Otto
didn't have any other witnesses or information to follow up he started to
prepare the final report for Mr. Loesing.
He came to the
conclusion that the evidence Fin had been psychologically abused was there. He
couldn't proof entirely that Fin had been bodily harmed, but there were signs.
His thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing. "Hello Mr. Otto. I
don't know if you remember me. It's Gretchen Britt Noose, the wife of Mike
Noose. "Of course, I remember you, Mrs. Britt Noose." "I... I
have found something. It would definitely proof Fin has been abused."
"Really? What is it?" "A video tape." "What is on the
tape, Mrs. Britt Noose?" "You should see it for yourself, Mr. Otto,
but it's nothing for the faint hearted. When I saw the footage my stomach
churned. Can I fedex it to you?" "Naturally." Steven gave her
his address and was intrigued. He wondered what was on the tape. It arrived two
days later.
Gretchen had been
right. It showed - what Steven assumed was the tip of the iceberg - Fin's
spankings from when he was around eleven to fourteen and discussions between
Coldham and Beverly. The beatings with a cane took place in different parts of
the Noose's home, but mostly at Beverly's home office, one in the living room
and one in Fin's bedroom. Steven admired Fin, who rarely did go down without a
fight, when he believed he didn't deserve it, knowing exactly he was making it
worse for himself. Official reasons for the canings ranged from cutting an
unimportant class, to talking back, to playing a prank on his grandfather to
stealing. It was clear, though, that Fin's parents were sadists and enjoyed
punishing him, mostly not even asking for an explanation why Fin did what he
did and sometimes it seemed Fin was really innocent and they were simply
looking for a reason to cane him. Fin's protests were interpreted as talk back,
so he was cuffed around the ears before he received the whacking. It meant also
that the original walloping would have been given on Fin's underwear clad or
fully covered behind, but due to his refusal to accept what was coming he ended
up getting it on his bare buttocks. The only exception had been when Fin had
been caught stealing. Fin hadn't put up a fight, so Steven assumed Fin had been
guilty on that occasion and it coborated with what Scott Manrique had been
telling. The cane was clearly visible and seemed fairly long and springy. Steve
guessed it was about half an inch thick and around 3 foot long. The cane was
vicious and sliced deep into Fin's flesh. Seeing it in action made Steven
grimace. Depending what "crime" Fin had committed he received between
four and ten cuts. The most severe beatings had been when he had cut a class
and had stolen. Steve thought it was a wonder the stripes weren't bleeding, especially
when they were overlapping. Once or twice Steve thought it had been a close
call.
Fin tried to take
the spankings stoic and the first few strokes normally didn't elicit any noise
from him. He screamed blue murder towards the end.
Steven marvelled
at Fin's self-control. He never got out of position and was only caught once
crying on camera. In this case Fin had started to blubber even before the event
started. Steven Otto guessed it had to do that he was embarrassed in front and
by his paternal grandfather. Coldham F. was present, because Fin had spit on
his hand and Fin's parents deemed it only fair he should see how his grandson
was dealt with. Coldham F. was allowed to pull down Fin's pants and under
pants, while scolding him. Fin was then dragged to the arm rest of the sofa by
his mother and forced to bend over.
Steven found the
arrangement odd. He didn't like both parents were there during the spankings or
on this one occasion, where Coldham F. was watching too. It had been most
likely the incident Stamford Noose, Fin's uncle, could remember Coldham F. had
mentioned.
It felt like the
adults were ganging up on the boy. It must have been humiliating to have one of
his parents watch while the other one dished out the punishment. Coldham
whipped Fin slightly more often than Beverly. Fin's mother seemed to enjoy
watching and wielding the cane.
The investigator
didn't know what was worse the physical abuse or the discussions going on
afterwards. Fin's parents talked about how each spanking went, joking they
should invite Coldham's father more often to get Fin to cry in front of them or
if they should sneak up to Fin's room and listen in if he was sobbing.
At least Steven
Otto was able to provide Mr. Loesing with verification what some of the
witnesses had stated. He felt a bit sad for Fin, who had had a terrible
upbringing.
Mr. Loesing was a
bit disappointed Fin hadn't lied to him, but shocked when he saw the video and
read the interviews. He was very satisfied with Steven Otto's work and
recommended him to friends and associates, when they needed the service of a
private investigator.
©2017
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