LeVaughn Flynn, Entertainment Editor

There is an empty space where my heart use to be

I was distraught when they brought the news to me

Up to this day I still refuse to see

How could it be, you gone away from me?

I wonder how, I wonder where did you go so early in the year

Did you know just how much I care and how I thanked you for always being there

It's like my whole world just disappear

Remember when you saw me how your face would glow

You use to cry when I was leaving 'cause you love your daddy so

Now it's my turn to cry while watching you grow

It's been a pleasure all those years while watching you grow

Forever more we'll be loving you so

Now only God knows, only God knows, why Zion is gone

But his memory lives on

Only God knows, only God knows, why you're not around

But you're smiling down

-Only God Knows, Twin of Twins

Twin of Twins, satirical dancehall performers, turned tragedy to art two years ago. The comedic duo of identical brothers, Paul and Patrick Gaynor, penned the lyrics to Only God Knows following the death of Zion Emmanuel Gaynor on February 10, 2007 in Greendale, Spanish Town. In a violent death, and questionable circumstances, Patrick lost his only son, and Paul, a nephew.

The last two and a half years haven't been any easier as, according to Patrick, little is being done by the police to find the perpetrator(s).

"Nutten, zero," he says with emphasis when asked about the investigation. "I call and all they (police) can say is 'go and find some people who are willing to bear witness'."

For most artistes, enduring deep emotional spells is fertile ground to produce artistic work. Only God Knows was written the same month of Zion's death and the video followed in April.

In the video, the lyrics are euphemistically portrayed by a mom losing track of her son in a train station. In the end, they are united as Patrick sadly sings, "Sweet Zion, Sweet Zion."

Paul and Patrick say they have not seen or heard from Zion's stepfather and mother, whose care he was under prior to his death. Patrick says Zion's mother did not attend the funeral.

Recounting the incident is visibly hard for Patrick. As he begins to get into the details, his eyes become sombre, his voice and shoulders drop. Clearly, the incident is still fresh, and haunting.

"Dis man carry mi yute go hospital in a very terrible condition - teeth lik out, the body look sick, disgusting. The doctor follow protocol and call police. The police tek him een and tek a statement from him and let him go," Patrick says.

"The doctor seh he was brought in dead and that him never look fresh, like him dead two day. When mi go a the morgue go look pon him, him look like him dead long time," says Paul.

"Mi never get such a sick feeling yet as a father," Patrick adds. "Mi wouldn't wish this pon the devil."

Paul, who has three children, says Zion's corpse was wrapped in a sheet and carried in the trunk of the police car as they transported the man to the police station for questioning before taking Zion to the morgue.

The post-mortem report, prepared by Dr S.V. Phanindra, consultant forensic pathologist, Ministry of National Security, states that the "cause of death is due to pulmonary oedema", which is fluid accumulation in the lungs. It further revealed that all the organs were congested and there was an abraded contusion (skin surface scraped away) over the face measuring 20x16 centimetres.

Cyanosis (blue colouration) of the fingers, as a result of a lack of oxygen caused by oedema, was also evident.

The post-mortem was done on February 15, 2007 - five days after Zion's death. However, Patrick did not receive the report until a year later, after seeking advice from Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), who requested a copy on his behalf.

Patrick also says he hasn't been kept up to date with the progress of the investigation.

Investigating officer, Detective Corporal Oswald Betancourt, at the Sligoville Police Station, says the file was sent to the coroner's court, where it will be determined if there were any foul play in Zion's death.

JFJ executive director Dr Carolyn Gomes says commissioner of police, Hardley Lewin, will be notified of the case.

"Our letters (to the police) have gone unanswered and we will be bringing it to the attention of the commissioner of police," says Gomes.

A lawyer at the Office of the Children's Advocate said no one from the Gaynor family has contacted them. She said if contacted, the office would serve as a watchdog over the investigation and file complaints through the appropriate channels if it so merits.

Irony

On June 22, Patrick and Paul were taken into custody at the Half-Way Tree Police Station on suspicion of fraud. They collected $49,000 from an upcoming artiste for a visa application fee, as he was preparing to tour with the twins. The majority of the money, however, was for the twins' services to record a dub. The twins say that the artiste changed his mind about going on the tour and wanted his money back. When he could not get in touch with them because they were off the island, he made a report to the police.

They claim that shortly after being arrested, the complainant went to the station and informed the police that his money was returned. Nonetheless, they spent the night in jail and were bailed the following day. They have a court appearance on July 30.

The twins argue that the police were expeditious in carrying out their arrests and wished they would show the same zeal in pursuing the circumstances surrounding Zion's death.

They say they feel bruised and battered by a justice system that should protect its citizens' interests.

"Them (police) lock we up off a word of mouth. Them never have nuh proof seh wi get no money or that we even know the man.

"Much to do about $49,000 (but when it comes to Zion) nutten nah gwaan," Patrick berates.

TRIALS AND CROSSES

The Twin of Twins' latest album, Trials and Crosses, seems to epitomise their journey. From constant complaints about being bullied by the overseers of the music industry to the snail's pace of Zion's death investigation, the twins have had their share of difficulties.

The album, however, which is the eighth volume in the Stir It Up series, is currently one of the hottest commodities in the streets. The catchy phrases on the album can be heard being imitated everywhere. The Stir It Up series are comedic skits of events in the dancehall, interspersed with social commentary.

The twins really shot to popularity in 2003 with the release of Stir It Up Vol 4 - Crucifixion of the Ghetto. That album prominently featured the mimicked voice of Superintendent Reneto Adams, and they say that one has been the most popular.

Stir It Up volumes one, two and three were released on cassette in 1995. After a break to focus on Patrick's solo career, the two reunited on Stir It Up Vol 4. Volumes five, six and seven followed in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

Patrick points out that in the month since its release, volume eight has proved to be very popular and lucrative - but for the pirates.

"One of the bootleg man them show me a brand-new R6 (motorbike) weh him buy cash off a selling Twin of Twins CD," says Paul. "Plastic all still deh pon di seat."

The witty social commentators who have mastered the art of voice imitation - from Bob Marley to Ian Boyne - also plan to release another album in the coming weeks, Twinness Book of Records, which more showcases their singing and deejaying abilities. There are also plans to release a DVD in September.

Through all the trials and crosses, Patrick and Paul say the struggles, particularly Zion's death, have been a motivational force for them to continue working hard at their craft. The experiences have also strengthened their faith in God and each other.

And Zion's life, and death, they say, will not be in vain.

"Zion was my inspiration, my drive, the reason behind all of my hard work and it still is Zion," says Patrick, embodied with the emotion of a father who is outliving his child. "The way me see it, if me live, him live. If me nuh dead him can't dead. And me a go prove that to them."

MEMORIES

How beautiful if nothing more

Than to wait at Zion's door

I've never been in love like this before

Now let me pray to keep you from

The perils that will surely come

See life for you my prince has just begun

And I thank you for choosing me

To come through unto life to be

A beautiful reflection of his grace

See I know that a gift so great

Is only one God could create

And I'm reminded every time I see your face

That the joy of my world is in Zion

-To Zion, Lauryn Hill

A big Lauryn Hill fan, Patrick named his son Zion, just as Hill did hers. He says he had another reason for giving his son the biblical name.

"From what me learn, Zion is the habitation of the most high God and mi want God live within mi youth, so mi call him Zion, and Emmanuel mean God with us. Which name more powerful?" he says.

In his brief life, Patrick and Zion, who was diagnosed with autism at two years old, created treasured memories together.

"Zion was a jovial youth. Pure joke Zion give; ever a smile," says Patrick. "Him always try mimic wi," Paul adds.

"One of my fondest memories is when I built his room and the joy pon him face when mi carry him in deh the first time," Patrick recalls.

"It use to hurt me when mi have to leave him (go to work) and mi use to have to trick him fi go weh. It use to move mi heart when mi see him a bawl and run come wid all him shoes in a him hand ready fi go pon the road wid mi. Yeah man, him did love him father."

The relationship between Zion and Patrick was a stark contrast to that between the twins and their father. They grew with and were close to both parents, but never experienced that unconditional sacrifice that they say they make for their children. In turn, that experience ensured Patrick and Paul were nurturing fathers.

"Me decide seh me have to change the cycle. Our father couldn't afford certain tings, and we nuh blame him, but mi nuh want my kids fi be in a dat situation," Paul states.

In Only God Knows, Paul deejays:

Lord I know you are a just God

Anything weh happen inna life a strictly muss God

Devil want wi feel right away like you're the wuss God

But I and I a truss God

Patrick says his religious beliefs are a combination of Adventism and Rastafarianism. Zion's death has tested the mettle of his faith but, Patrick says, it is unshaken and stronger than before. He says as tough as it is, he accepts his son's death as part of the treacherous path his life has been destined to take.

"One of the greatest tings mi know fi a fact, anything weh the Almighty do is well done," he says.

"Remember the Bible story of Job wid the leprosy and people ask 'If God love yu why him do yu suh' and Job nuh cuss God. Me a Job; me nah cuss God. If tomorrow mi a walk and nuh have a dime an' a suffer, a God's will.

"The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men."

With faith galvanised by tragedy and the belief that good will always overcome evil, Paul and Patrick say despite the pain of losing a son and nephew, and the horrific condition in which his body left this world, and the slow progress in bringing the transgressor(s) to justice, they are content knowing that Zion is at peace in Zion.

Paul and Patrick say anyone with information that can help the investigation can contact them at justice4zion@yahoo.com.

levaughn.flynn@gleanerjm.com