AllFreeNovel
Share Us
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?”
“Yes. I was there when he asked Reese to help him do what was right.”
“Wow,” she says. “Just wow. I hope they get her.”
“Me too. I really do.”
We talk for a good half-hour, and right when we’re about to hang up, she says, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m exhausted. I’m writing my column and just mentally drained.”
“Is something up with you and Reese?”
“No. Nothing.”
“You’re sure?”
