Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I don’t care what his reason is, because the amount of relief I feel that Alice and her family will finally get justice is overwhelming. Her murder will no longer be categorized as unsolved, and her family might finally be able to heal.
With Charles anxious to get this over with, I let his lawyer know that I will call Judge Brown and see when he can get us into court so that Charles can give his confession to Alice’s family, and he can be arraigned for sentencing. Before I hang up with him, we agree on a time to meet in person so that we can go over the details of everything that is about to happen. After plugging my meeting with him into my phone, I leave my office and head down the hall to Mary’s. I know that she had court earlier this afternoon, but I’m hoping she’s back.
“Hey, Dayton,” her secretary greets me with a smile when I reach her desk.
“Hey, Erica. Is Mary in?”
“Yep.” She goes to the door and knocks, poking her head inside and telling Mary I’m here before looking back at me and pushing the door open fully. “Go on in.”
“Thanks, Erica.” I step past her.
“Is everything okay?” Mary asks studying me as I approach her desk.
“Charles took the plea deal.”
“What?” She sits back in her chair with her eyes wide. “When?”
“His lawyer just called me; we’re meeting Monday to go over everything, then I’ll call and set up a time so we can get in front of Judge Brown.”
“This is…” she pauses shaking her head. “I don’t even know what to say. I’m shocked that he took the deal.”
“Apparently he’s been sick and found God.”
“How do you feel?”
“I can admit I was a little disappointed when I got the call. I know that manslaughter is not first-degree murder, but I’m relieved that he will be forced to admit the details of his crime. And hopefully this will give Alice’s family some closure and maybe even heal some old wounds.”
“I can understand the disappointment, but the thing is he won’t be getting out of jail. He’s already serving life, so this will just add more time onto his sentence. You’re not letting him off the hook so don’t feel like you are.”
“Yeah,” I agree letting out a breath and she gives me a look filled with pride.
“Congratulations, Dayton, you should be proud of yourself. I know that you aren’t getting the chance to present your case in court, but you have proven yourself over and over again these last few months. You’re a great lawyer, and I have no doubt that part of the reason why Charles agreed to take the plea is because his lawyer saw the case you built against him and knew that he didn’t stand a chance against you in court.”
“Thanks, Mary.”
“We’re lucky to have you, and if you keep on track in a few years, you’ll be taking Billy’s job.”
“Or you could take his job, and I can have yours.” I tell her and she laughs.
“Or that.”
“All right, I’m going to take off unless you need something from me.”
“Nope, I think we’re good. Have a good weekend and I’ll see you Monday.”
“See you Monday.” I leave her office and head down the hall to mine. As I’m approaching my door Billy comes around the corner and gives me a tight smile when he sees me. I’m sure he blames me for his current situation and would love nothing more than to tell me to go fuck myself. The thing is I don’t care, and he has no one to blame but himself.
After gathering my stuff, I head out to my SUV and call Franny as I pull out of the parking lot.
“Hey.”
“Hey, I’m on my way home. Do you need me to stop and pick anything up?”
“Ummm.” I can picture her looking around. “I can’t think of anything. I’m upstairs at Willow’s already, setting up with the girls. My parents said that they will be here at six.”
“Alright, I’ll be home soon to help out.”
“Okay, I’ll see you when you get here.” She hangs up after I tell her that I love her, and she whispers the same in return.
On my way home, I call Judge Brown’s secretary and ask to speak with him, and unfortunately he’s out of the office until after the weekend, so I have her pencil me in to meet with him Monday after my meeting with Charles’ lawyer.
When I get home thirty minutes later, I stop at my place to change into jeans and a tee then head up to Willow and Clay’s apartment. The moment I open the door PJ greets me in excitement and Franny smiles at me from the kitchen where she is standing with Willow, Miranda, and Emma, the three of them putting together platters of food. With her hair up and wearing body-hugging long sleeve t-shirt dress she looks adorable; she also looks a little stressed, which I don’t like.