“It was great to meet all of you,” I say, feeling awkward again as all eyes turn to me like they did when we arrived this morning.
A chorus of “you too” and “same” rings out.
Taking my hand, Jessen says his goodbyes before leading me across the sand.
“I hope you had a good day, that they weren’t too much.”
That same weird sense of being watched from ages back comes over me again. I stop to look around the beach, to see if anything or anyone appears out of place, but with so many people milling around it’s hard to tell. A cold shiver wracks my body.
Since he’s still holding my hand, Jessen feels it and gives me that sexy eyebrow quirk of his. “What’s up, gorgeous? Something wrong?”
“I don’t know. It’s that same uneasy feeling I had before that someone’s watching me. But no one stands out as screaming ‘bad guy’ vibes. Then again, there’s so many people here today I’m not sure I’d see them anyway.”
Jessen uses the hand he’s holding to tug me closer and wraps a protective arm around me. “I’ve got you, babe.”
Dropping my head to his shoulder with a happy sigh, I smile. “Yeah. Yeah, you do.”
He drops a quick kiss on my head, then starts to walk again. “I love you, and I’ll always keep you safe, no matter what. You know that right?”
“Yeah, I do,” I reply, hugging his words close. “I love you too, Jessen, and I’ll always have your back.Youknowthat, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. I know you do. And it makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world to know you love me, to have you by my side.”
Cuddled into his embrace as we make our way to his car, that uncomfortable feeling fades. As always, Jessen makes me feel safe in his arms, like nothing and no one can touch me when he’s near. Truth be told,Ifeel like the luckiest person in the world to be able to call him mine, to be the woman this incredible man will come home to each night. I’m excited to see what our future will bring.
25
LUCKY
The noise in the courtroom is overwhelming. I suspect there are more people here for Armatrout’s trial than there were for his bail hearing. We’re all here again today, this time just as observers since today is the first day. No giving of evidence is yet required.
Indigo is pale as a ghost and doesn’t look well. She’s got a death grip on Knight’s hand, and he’s got an arm wrapped around her shoulders, offering his silent support. Prosecution has come out in full force, their small table crowded with staff. The defense table is conspicuously empty by comparison.
Just one single member of the defense team has arrived.
A knot in my gut tells me it means nothing good for this case. Movement in the corner of my vision draws my attention, and I turn to see the judge enter the room. Her bailiff steps over to her bench, a quiet conversation ensues, then the man turns to face the gallery.
“Order in the court. Order, please.” He waits a moment for people to pay attention. “All rise.”
Once the gallery has quietened down and we’ve all gotten to our feet, he opens proceedings, finishing with “The Honorable Judge Beth Steiner is presiding.”
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Everyone but the jury may be seated. Mr. Jefferson, please swear in the jury.”
With a nod, he turns to them, “Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will truly listen to this case and render a true verdict and a fair sentence as to this defendant?”
The jury answer in the affirmative, and he tells them to take a seat before returning to his place beside the bench.
“Members of the jury, your duty today is to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based only on facts and evidence provided in this case. The burden of proving the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt lies with the prosecution and will remain on the prosecution through the trial. They must prove that a crime was committed, and that the defendant is the person who committed the crime. However, if by the end of this trial you are not satisfied of the defendant’s guilt to that extent, then reasonable doubt exists, and the defendant must be found not guilty.” Looking over at the bailiff, Judge Steiner asks, “Mr. Jefferson, what do you have for me this morning?”
“Your Honor, today’s case is The State of California versus William Armatrout III.”
“Is the prosecution ready?”
The same annoying district attorney from the bail hearing gets to his feet, a sour expression on his miserable face, “Yes, Your Honor. However, it would appear my learned colleague’s client has failed to appear.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Foster. I can see that.” Judge Steiner turns to the defense table and frowns down at the attorney standing there. “Sir, where is your client?”
“Good morning, Your Honor. My humblest apologies for Mr. Armatrout’s absence. He’s not well – with the stress of the last few months, he’s been struggling with some health issues. He’s been prescribed bedrest, and I’m here today to request a postponement to give my client an opportunity to restore his heath before proceeding with the case.”
