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“That’s it!” Whack! Judge Hudson banged her gavel again. “How dare you threaten the jury in my courtroom? You, Sir, are going directly to jail!” She pointed at the police officer who had come in with Molly and Torus. “Officer Hatchet, I’m sorry but you’ll have to question Mr. Wyndham from his jail cell. I’m charging him with Criminal Contempt and ordering that he be held for the next thirty days without any option for release.”
“Yes, Your Honor.” The officer nodded respectfully.
“Thank you. Now, I understand that everyone wants to go home. I want to thank the jury again for their time and patience in this matter. You have all discharged your civic duty extremely well,” she said, nodding to the jury. Then she looked at Molly. “Ms. Byrne, I hope the money awarded you will enable you to live the life you want. I know that no amount can make up for the last five years, but I want you to know this Court wishes you well in your future endeavors.”
Molly nodded.
“Thank you, Your Honor.”
But her head was spinning. Eighty-eight million dollars? What would she do with so much money? And was it really going to wipe Zach out financially? She certainly hoped so!
She watched as her ex was dragged away with a bailiff on either arm.
“You can’t do this to me!” he was saying. “Do you know who I am? People like me don’t go to jail! I have too much money to go to jail!”
“From what I hear, you and your money are about to be parted,” one of the bailiff’s remarked, chuckling. “Don’t worry, though—there aren’t many millionaires in lock-up. You should get along fine—maybe even make some new friends.”
“Well, sweetheart—are you ready to go?” Torus murmured.
Molly looked up at him.
“I’m so ready. I wish we could go back to the ship, though.”
“I’m afraid we have to answer some questions at the police station first,” Torus said regretfully.
“Actually, if you folks promise me you won’t leave the area, I’ll let you come to the station tomorrow to make your statements,” Officer Hatchet, who was sitting on the other side of Torus, said. “It sounds like you’ve been through an awful lot today.”
“Thank you, Officer—that’s extremely kind of you,” Torus told him. “I believe my wife needs some rest after everything that’s happened. I promise we’ll stay on my ship, which is parked just two blocks from here, and come to your station in the morning.”
Molly felt a wave of relief wash over her.
“Thank you,” she said to the policeman. “Thank you so much. I just want to get out of here!”
“I understand.” He nodded at them both. “Have a good night’s sleep and we’ll see you in the morning around say, ten.”
He gave Torus the address of the police station and then left—presumably to get a statement from Zach.
“Well!” Councilor Paige, who was sitting to Molly’s right, exclaimed. “That went even better than I hoped!” She looked at Molly. “But are you all right? I can’t believe Wyndham had you kidnapped! Lone bespoke me and told me all the details—I’m so sorry!”
“Kidnapped and nearly killed,” Torus said grimly. “If the Goddess hadn’t told me where to find her…” He shook his head. “I got there just in time…but I wish I could have made it there sooner.”
“It’s all right. I’m all right,” Molly said automatically. But she found her eyes were stinging. She swiped at them—she didn’t want to break down! “I mean, I will be all right, after I get some rest,” she amended.
“I understand what you’re going through.” Lizabeth Paige reached out and squeezed Molly’s arm gently. “I went through something very similar a few years ago,” she told her. “I was taken by a primitive, misogynistic tribe on another planet and the Goddess told Lone where to find me. He went into Rage and killed every man who was trying to attack me, but not before I suffered some fairly brutal torture.”
“Oh my God!” Molly looked at her with wide eyes. “That’s terrible!”
“It was an awful experience,” Lizabeth admitted. “But I don’t let it define me. And thanks to the Goddess—and to Lone’s patience—I was able to go through a healing process and make a complete recovery. I hope that you will, too.”
“I’ll do everything I can for her,” Torus wrapped an arm around Molly’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.
“I know you will.” The lawyer smiled. “Kindred are the most patient and devoted husbands in the known universe. Molly, I know you’re going to get through this.”
“I’ll be fine,” Molly said, agreeing with her. “I just…need time to process. That’s all.”
“Of course you do. So go back to Torus’s ship and try to relax. I’ll meet the two of you at the police station at ten. It’s better if you have your lawyer with you, just in case,” she added.
“Thank you.” Molly gave her an impulsive hug and Lizabeth hugged her back.
