Ellen and Lisa went to Johan when he came downstairs.

"So, get off my throne for a minute. What I wanted to say... Those suspects, I want to keep following them, feel if they grow further in their awareness, how they develop. Usually prison is not the best place to heal emotionally and improve your vision, but I have heard that things are changing lately. Guards and counselors around the world are reporting that prisoners are going through emotional pain, and actually changing for the better. I hope the same for these five men, of course.

In addition, I was just talking about setting an example to other offenders. I want to keep an eye on the worldwide environment, how it develops. Somehow I hope that perpetrators themselves will take action and approach their female victims in a healing way, or at least give them back their freedom. At the moment that doesn't seem to be happening, but I'll keep an eye on it.

If it turns out that the example function is no longer necessary, and the suspects themselves also change for the better, then I will approach both of you and ask if you agree to release them sooner. Should you yourselves perceive reason to release them, just let me know, and we'll see if we can make it work. If this is going to happen, I think all three of us should be behind it. Is that okay with you guys?"

Ellen and Lisa nodded, to which Johan continued:

"Then let's go and satisfy the curiosity of the press now," he said with a wink. Marianne came walking towards them, "Johan, it's raining, I opened the front room for the press for a moment."

"Thank you, Marianne, then we'll go there," Johan replied.

Marianne turned to Lisa for a second, "Are you satisfied with the verdict?"

"Oh yes, definitely!" beamed Lisa.

As soon as they walked into the front hall, photographers started taking pictures of them. Johan felt that the atmosphere was different than usual. He was used to them going after their prey like vultures, but this time they were quite calm. They took turns asking their questions, which he answered calmly and simply.

Lisa followed leisurely, actually enjoying the experience. She lost all sense of the fact that this was about a terrible period she had been through. Only when a journalist turned to her did she come back to reality.

"Ma'am, how did you experience the court hearings and the verdict?"

Lisa looked up confused for a moment, blinked her eyes, but then quickly answered, "The court cases, without exception, were very special. It touched me how both Ellen and Johan dealt with the defendants. But most special were the reactions of the defendants themselves. Their remorse was so sincere. That's why I'm glad they only got two years in prison. It makes no sense to hold them longer. I hope that after that they can find their way in society again, that they can pick up their relationships and their old work or else new work. It did me good to see, that all the people who had come with them, also went with them to the rooms where they could speak with them. I can only hope that's good for all parties."

"You are getting quite a bit of compensation. Do you know yet what you are going to do with all that money?" another journalist asked.

Lisa smiled, "I haven't really thought about this money yet, but I'm sure my husband and I will spend it well. We will follow our hearts in that."

"I have heard, that your ex has left you quite an inheritance. You seem to have become quite wealthy," suggested yet another.

Lisa looked at her thoughtfully: "You could call it that, but I don't experience it that way myself. We live very normal, very simply. And yes, our account is well-filled, we know, but we don't intend to use it for ourselves. Our first plan is to build a shelter from it for women who are currently still in similar positions as I was in. Our second plan also has to do with helping certain people, but I don't want to dwell on that."

"Ah come, madam," the journalist tried again, "if you tell about it openly, and we write about it, then the right people can find you."

Lisa shook her head smiling, "And that is exactly what I want to avoid. It is my desire that my husband and I find the right people, and not the other way around."

"I think we should leave it at that," suggested Johan. "I thank you very much for your attendance and effort, and I hope you will write the best article of your career so far!"

.

Outside the room, Johan turned to Lisa and Ellen: "Thank you Lisa, you have helped me tremendously, and you too Ellen, nice that we could do this together like this.

I've had a little consultation with Marieke. We have vacation next week, vacation in your guesthouse, Lisa! Maybe Ellen and Alexander would also like to reserve a room in that same week. I would love to look back together at the first court cases I was able to lead full from my soul. And you were all involved in that, so... I don't know if you'd like that?"

Lisa nodded enthusiastically, "I'd love to talk about it again! How about you, Ellen?"

Ellen picked up her calendar, "Next week?"

"Yes, the second week of Christmas vacation," Johan replied.

"Alex and I have this and next week off otherwise. It would be super cool though. I'll give him a call right away, just a minute."

As Lisa and Johan looked at each other conspiratorially, Ellen turned and called her husband. She presented the idea, listened to his reaction for a moment, and then closed the call already.

"If there's still room at the guest house, we'll come."

Lisa showed her her cell phone. She had already looked up the site of Bloemenhof for a moment: "There are still rooms available, so make your reservations!"

Ellen laughed, "Great!"

She looked up the website and immediately filled out the reservation form. It wasn't long before she got a text message from Huib, who was standing further down the hall with the family, "I heard your registration come in, nice!"

"It's settled, we'll see each other next week!"

To chapter 220. Front page news

Or to the Table of contents