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)
Fifteen minutes later, we are at a coffee shop around the corner with an outdoor area and heaters, talking nonstop about everything but the trial while Reese’s phone blows up with text messages and calls, most of which he ignores. “Anything on the publishing deal?”
“No, but when a board has to approve money, it takes time.”
He glances at his watch. “It’s been almost an hour.”
“Do you think they will even call us back until four thirty?”
“I was hoping they’d walk into a room, cast a vote, and be done.”
“One and done,” I tease.
“That’s right, sweetheart. This time, I wanted a one and done.”
“What’s next after this trial?”
“I actually have a case that I have a junior partner working on, but it’s my client and someone I went to school with.”
“So it’s personal.”
“Not personal but he’s a casual friend and like I said a good guy in a bad situation that hit him right as I went to trial. I actually need to go to the office tomorrow and catch up on the case, so I can hit the ground running Monday.”
“Tomorrow? You are a beast, aren’t you?”
He laughs and nuzzles my neck. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, sweetheart. After I have that meetup with him, though, I’m decompressing. No anything.”
I have this sudden realization that after this trial, I don’t know what comes next for him or me. Or us. I’m only staying with him until the trial is over, and it’s basically over. His phone rings and he glances at the number, a strange look on his face. “I need to take this,” he says. “I’ll be right back.”
He stands up and leaves me here alone to take the call in private.
I’m dumbfounded. I don’t even know what to think. He’s never acted like something was too private for me to be privy to it. I feel odd. I feel out of place. I feel like I have never felt with Reese. Maybe the ride is over. Maybe I just got too serious. He’s gone for almost fifteen minutes. I watch the news on a television nearby after ruling out working. I can’t write. I’m too off right now.
Suddenly, Reese is rushing back. “The jury is back.”
“Oh God,” I say. “That was fast.”
“The Friday night cure for a long deliberation,” he says. “Let’s go see if we’re drinking to celebrate or wallowing.”
I grab my coat and he helps me slip it on, and it’s not long before we’re running toward the courthouse. Fifteen minutes later, I’m holding my breath as the judge reads the jury’s ruling. “We the jury find the defendant not guilty on the charge of first-degree murder.”
Reese, his team, and Nelson Ward all slump forward in relief.
The formality of the jurors verbally confirming their vote begins, and then I’m led to the back room again with Reese, who grabs me, picks me up, and spins me around. I’m laughing with his team in the hallway when Nelson comes up to Reese and holds out his hand. “Thank you. Thank you.”
Reese shakes his hand. “Do what’s right now. Justice is in your hands.”
“I’m going to,” he assures Reese. “But I need an attorney to protect me while I do.”
“You’re untouchable now,” Reese says. “But if you want to hand over a killer, I’ll proudly represent you through that process. Where is she now?”
“I don’t know, and I have concerns she might flee.”
Reese grabs his phone and dials. “Royce. Yes. Thanks. Make sure Kelli doesn’t get out of your sight.” He gives Nelson a pointed look and adds, “Nelson Ward needs a detective we can trust to talk to about Kelli. Can you make that happen? Right. Got it.” He ends the call. “Royce Walker will be here with law enforcement when the press conference ends. Let’s go do this.”
His team heads for the door, and he stops beside me. “I’m going to have to deal with the police and Kelli.”
“I know.”
He pulls me close. “Meet me at my place. Okay?”
“Yes. Okay.”
He kisses me and presses his cheek to mine to whisper, “I can’t wait to get you alone again.” And with that he walks away.
I don’t. I stand there feeling awkward, like the kind of awkward I never felt after the first night, the one and done that is yet to be one and done. I don’t like how this feels.
Chapter thirty
Cat
Iwatch the press conference, and when it’s all said and done, I can’t seem to get myself to go to Reese’s apartment. I don’t seem to want to go to mine, either. I end up at the coffee shop, with my coat on a chair, and a coffee and my MacBook as my company. I’m also in my pink dress, which I wore today because I like pink and I can. No other reason.
I exhale, really, really hating this nagging feeling inside me, but I power through my work. I’ve just reached my closing statement when Lauren calls. “Royce said Nelson Ward is turning on his wife?”