Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
There’s a knock on the door and I quickly kiss her again. “Just to be clear, Cat,” I promise. “Everything means everything,” I say before I’m forced to leave this conversation for later.
Chapter eighty-one
Cat
Lauren doesn’t stay for the afternoon in court, but I’m feeling pretty good about the cigar in my purse that she gave me for Reese. I settle into my seat, waiting for the courtroom to come to order. After Reese and I had our little talk about babies and everything, he might have a little idea I’m pregnant, but he’ll have to wait for the birthday surprise and I know it will be a really special day. Especially when Reese reclaims his spot in the courtroom and winks at me. There are a few murmurs in response that tell me we most likely got the attention of the press but I’m not complaining. Mr. Hotness winked at me, and I’m the lucky girl in the room.
The rest of the morning, the prosecution seems to stay on safe territory. They call non-consequential witnesses and fill up time. Come lunchtime, I reluctantly allow Savage to walk me to the food truck. “How long do you think it will be necessary to have you by my side?”
Savage holds his heart. “You wound me. I thought I was too good to let go of.”
I laugh and Reese steps to my side, wrapping his arm around me, and eyeing Savage. “I’ll take it from here.”
Right at that moment, Reginald steps in front of us. “I didn’t do it,” he says. “I didn’t fucking do it.”
Savage steps between us. “You need to back away, man.”
“I just want to talk. Please, Reese! Please, just talk to me.”
Reese looks down at me. “Stay away from him and with me or Savage at all times.” He then refocuses on the two men and calls out. “Savage, I’ll talk to him.”
Savage pulls Reginald in front of him and holds his arms. “As long as Reginald here doesn’t mind being friendly with me while you do,” he says, towering over Reginald and Reginald is not a small guy.
Reginald doesn’t even seem to notice. “I didn’t do it. Tell me what I need to do to prove I didn’t do it.”
“Tell the truth on the stand,” Reese says. “Martha didn’t and that didn’t go well for her.”
“Can you be my attorney?”
“That’s a conflict of interest.” Reese says.
“You think I’m guilty.”
“It wouldn’t matter either way,” Reese replies. “It’s a conflict of interest.”
“I’ll protect her. Put me on the stand, and I’ll protect her.”
“I intend to,” Reese says. “When it’s our turn which could be a long way off.”
“What if I get Martha to confess? I’ll confront her. I’ll record her.”
“We could make that work,” Savage says.
“Talk to Savage, Reginald,” Reese replies. “But don’t talk to Dana. You’re going to make her look guilty.”
“Because I look guilty?” he demands.
“Because she looks guilty,” Reese says. “She’s the one who was charged. Don’t give anyone a chance to question her. As long as there’s no evidence against you, they won’t charge you to just charge.” He eyes Savage. “We’re going back.”
Savage nods and Reese wraps his arm around my shoulders and turns me back toward the courthouse. “First thought?”
“I hope he doesn’t get an attorney. That could work against us.”
“Agreed,” I say.
“Maybe he’ll deliver us Martha and save himself and Dana.”
“Desperate people do desperate things,” I remind him. “This feels volatile to me. It feels like a problem.”
“That’s why he’s with Savage and on another note: Your brother texted me. Debbie is on an airplane and I talked to Royce. Wilson is stable. I think for now though, we’ll keep Walker in place through the rest of the trial.”
“Because of Reginald?”
“Because I want you safe.”
We head back into the courthouse and I think about the baby in my belly and decide not to argue. I’m not taking any chances with our child and maybe on some level Reese senses that he needs to protect more than me. He needs to protect his child.
The afternoon is slow. The prosecution calls a number of police officers who are so uneventful that Reese allows Elsa to cross-examine them. It’s four o’clock when Savage enters the courtroom and delivers a note to Reese. Reese reads the note and nods to Savage. “Judge, can we approach please?”
The judge motions him forward and he and Milton are quickly in front of him. Both are clearly arguing before the judge bangs his gavel. “Counselors, in my office. Court is adjourned until eight am tomorrow.”
Savage is waiting on me at the end of the aisle, and we don’t speak until we’re outside. “What’s going on?” I ask as soon as we’re out of the cluster of people.
“The police raided Martha and Reginald’s apartments an hour ago,” he says. “Things are heating up.”