Imperfect Justice

by Cara Putman

  “Thank you.” The judge made a note. “Call your next witness.”

  Emilie looked over her shoulder, and her gaze connected with Detective Gaines at the back of the room. “I call Detective Gaines of the Alexandria PD.”

  After he was sworn in, she walked him through the police report. “What was the conclusion of the report?”

  “That Kaylene Adams is the one who shot her children.”

  Emilie nodded. “Did you forward a file to me last night?”

  “Yes.”

  “What was it?”

  “A copy of the 911 call at the time of the shooting.”

  “Your Honor, I’d like to play it.” The judge acquiesced, so she played it for all to hear.

  Operator: I have your location from your phone. Tell me what’s going on.

  Man’s voice: She has a gun.

  Girl’s voice: Daddy?

  Woman’s voice: I’ll do anything. I’ll say anything. Just put that away.

  Operator: Sir, who has a gun?

  Emilie could hardly stand listening to the call, imagining again what had happened.

  Shot.

  Woman’s voice, sobbing: What are you doing?

  Man’s voice: She’s got the gun.

  Click. End of call.

  Emilie let the silence, heavy and unshakeable, settle after the recording ended. As the judge shifted, Emilie turned back to the detective. “Is that an unaltered copy of the call?”

  “Best as I can tell.”

  “Is there anything that makes you think it was altered?”

  “No, it’s the same call as the first time I heard it.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced down at her notes. “No further questions.” Emilie eased down, anticipating where Wright would take her cross.

  Darlene Wright rose and straightened the bottom of her jacket. “Did the 911 call change the decision of the Alexandria police department?”

  “No.”

  “It is still the conclusion of the police that Mrs. Adams shot her children?”

  “The investigation is ongoing.”

  “The report states Mrs. Adams shot her children, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “No further questions.”

  “Redirect?” Judge Robinson tapped her pen against the tablet.

  “Just two.” Emilie stood and turned back to the detective. “Did you notice anything odd in the call?”

  “Yes. Instead of urging the police to arrive, the man says, ‘That’s enough time.’”

  “And based on your investigation, no one else was in the home? Just the four family members were there at the time of the shooting?”

  “Yes.” Detective Gaines’s word was adamant and firm.

  “Thank you.” Emilie took a deep breath and looked at the judge. “That’s all I have right now.”

  “All right.” Judge Robinson pulled off her glasses and made a couple notes. Then she turned to opposing counsel. “I am undecided on the motion, but Ms. Wesley took her thirty minutes, so you may have the same amount of time. I’d like to hear your evidence.”

  Darlene frowned, then gathered her notes and forced a smile. “All right. My witness is Robert Adams.”

  The judge swore him in, and he settled against the witness chair, easily giving the basic information.

  Darlene nodded toward Reid. “Has this man been actively involved with your girls?”

  “No. He rarely came around.”

  “Because he didn’t invite me,” Reid muttered.

  “Sh.” Emilie didn’t want the judge noting his interruption.

  “Have you read the police report?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is there anything you would add or change?”

  “No.” Robert sighed and looked appropriately broken. “It captures what happened on the day of that tragedy.” He wiped under an eye, but Emilie didn’t see any moisture. What an actor. “I want my little girl home with me.”

  Wright walked him through a few more questions and then turned him over to Emilie.

  Emilie rose slowly and scanned her red notes. He was careful, but she knew him in a way he didn’t appreciate. He was no different from the other men she’d come against who would do anything to maintain control. If she could push him far enough without raising Judge Robinson’s ire, she knew she’d have him.

  “Today, Ms. Wesley.”

  “Yes, Your Honor.” She tapped her pad and then turned to Robert with a full-wattage smile. He leaned back and his frown intensified. “Mr. Adams, was anyone else in the home with you?”

  “Objection, asked and answered.”

  “Ms. Wesley?”

  “This is cross, but I’ll withdraw it.” She turned back to Robert. “You testified earlier that only you, Kaylene, and the girls were in the home, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “And when you called 911, shots were fired?”

  “Yes.”

  “When the operator told you how long until the police arrived, what was your response?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  “Would you like me to replay it for the judge?” She turned back to the desk and held up her phone. “I’d be happy to do that.” Very happy.

  “No, that’s okay.” He studied her, and she could almost see his brain spinning. “I said something about that being too long.”

  Emilie took the notes Hayden handed her. “I believe you said, ‘That’s enough time.’”

  “Maybe.”

  “What did you mean?”

  “That I hoped they’d arrive in time.”

  “But you actually said, ‘That’s enough time.’” She turned to the judge. “May I approach the witness?”

  “You may.”

  She accepted the stack of paper Hayden offered and then walked to the witness stand. “You said, ‘That’s enough time.’” She handed him a copy of the call transcript Hayden had made before handing one to the judge and the last to Wright. “My question is, enough time for what?”

  She turned back to him and watched his eyes dart back and forth. He was beginning to unravel.

  “For the police to arrive.”

  “But enough time for you to do what?”

  “Why would I do anything?”

  “Didn’t you want to finish what you’d started?”

  Wright burst from her chair. “Objection. Badgering.”

  “Ms. Wesley?”

  “You needed time. For what?” Emilie was taking a gamble by ignoring the judge, but she needed to keep the pace of the conversation going. Get Robert to forget what he was saying and to whom. He must be bursting to brag.

  “None of your business.”

  She looked at the judge and swept her hands wide. “But it is our business. Since the judge decides what’s best for Kinley, she needs to know.”

  “I know what’s best for Kinley,” he roared.

  “You do?”

  “Yes, I’m her father, and I know best!”

  “The court might disagree with you.”

  “No one will disagree with me. There is a reason she’s mine.”

  “You don’t own a child.” She felt the chill of his words, but needed more. “No one owns another.”

  “But she will do what I say when I say it.”

  “Is that what Kaylene did wrong? She disobeyed?”

  “That woman never knew what was best for her.”

  “But you did?”

  “Of course. That’s why she was mine.”

  “So you took her?”

  “She was mine, and I could do anything I wanted with her.”

  “Even kill her.”

  Wright was back on her feet. “Objection, Your Honor. This is too much.”

  Robert bowled over her objection. “I didn’t need to.”

  Silence fell like a blanket, Robert sitting there with a smile, arms crossed across his chest.

  The judge leaned back, then looked at Emilie. “Proceed carefully.”

  “Thank yo
u, Your Honor.”

  Robert seemed to take the words as encouragement, because he relaxed and laced his fingers over his stomach. Emilie liked the idea he was comfortable. Let him underestimate her. “What was your plan during those moments?”

  “A plan is not something you make on the fly.”

  “No, you build it over time.”

  “Yes. And it was perfect.”

  “What about Kaydence?”

  “She got what she deserved.”

  “Death? Really? That’s what she deserved?”

  “She forgot who she was.”

  “Along with Kaylene?”

  “Too much like her mother.”

  “But not Kinley?”

  “No.” Robert leered at her. “You’ll never take her.”

  “But you shot her too.”

  “No, that was her sister. Dumb girl couldn’t shoot straight. I’m the better shot.”

  Silence fell. Emilie replayed his words in her mind, noted how his testimony deviated from what he’d offered in the report. She looked to the judge, noted Judge Robinson had caught every nuanced word. “Your Honor, I advise that you alert Mr. Adams that anything more he says could be used against him and that he has the right to an attorney.”

  “I’m right here, Ms. Wesley.” Wright turned to the judge. “I’d ask for a recess.”

  “You may have that in the conference room. Bailiff, ask the sheriff’s deputy to come in and escort them and keep them in that room. Then call the prosecutor. Detective, would you like to say anything?”

  Detective Gaines shook his head. “You’ve covered it, Your Honor.”

  “So glad you approve.” The judge turned to Reid. “I’m granting the protective order and giving you temporary custody pending the decision of the prosecutor. I am also scheduling this for a hearing two weeks from today when we’ll know more about where this matter stands.” She picked up her file and left the room.

  Emilie leaned back and felt Reid’s stare as the deputy walked Robert and his attorney from the room.

  “Did that just go as well as I think?”

  “Yes. We won.” It was only for the moment, but it was a better start than she’d hoped.

  Reid pulled her to her feet and spun her around. “I knew you could do it. Let’s go get my niece.”

  “After we get the signed order.” She grinned up at him. “Then I’m all yours.”

  CHAPTER 48

  Reid ran his slick palms down the side of his navy khakis. He’d paired them with a collared shirt, open to reveal the neck of a T-shirt. With his loafers, he should hit the right note for an evening at Wolf Trap. Hopefully Emilie would enjoy the picnic he’d bought from the Whole Foods deli counter and the show that would follow. He had enough citronella to keep a swarm of mosquitos at bay. If the projected rain would hold off until after the show, the night would be perfect, since the seats under the covering had sold out before he had the idea. His mom had always said Wolf Trap was a romantic venue. He hoped Emilie agreed.

  Kinley hobbled into the kitchen, looking alive and so good. Things weren’t easy right now, but he had her with the best counselor the Haven staff recommended, and she was slowly settling in. Brandon had promised to come stay with her this evening, and Emilie had said her friend Caroline would be over as well. Like Brandon couldn’t handle anything that came his way . . . but if that made Emilie comfortable leaving Kinley, it was good with him.

  It would be an intimate concert.

  One shared with around seven thousand.

  But he hoped it would make an impression.

  A knock at the door had him hurrying to it. “You ready, Kinley?”

  “Sure.” Her voice sounded small, but she sank onto the couch and lay down. Her little legs left plenty of room for Brandon, he hoped.

  As soon as he opened the door, Brandon pushed through with a bag slung over his shoulder, holding another filled with takeout.

  “Thanks for coming.”

  “Sure. I needed the break.” There were new stress lines near his eyes. While Reid had won the contest at work, he hadn’t done much to help Brandon.

  “Hey. We’re still going to find you the funding.”

  “Sure.” Brandon forced a grin as he walked to the couch. “Hey there, princess. Remember me?”

  She giggled. “You’re Uncle Reid’s friend.”

  “And I brought Strawberry Shortcake and American Girl DVDs.”

  “You’re a good man, Brandon.”

  “Just used to working with kids.”

  Someone else knocked, and Reid would have sworn Brandon puffed even bigger. His little girl would be safe with him. “Calm down, big guy. I was expecting one more.”

  “Why?” Brandon looked around. “You think I can’t handle her?”

  Reid opened the door, and a cute brunette walked in. She was petite. Even shorter than Emilie, but she sparkled somehow.

  “Hey, y’all. I’m Caroline Bragg.” She stuck out her hand and shook his with lots of energy. “Here with my Mary Poppins bag and ready to get you out the door. You’d better scoot, man, or you will leave Em waiting. I don’t recommend that.” She stepped farther in, and Reid closed the door. “Who’s your friend?”

  Brandon looked frozen in place, like he couldn’t quite take in this little fireball. Reid had to agree. She was more forceful than Emilie had described.

  “Well, I know Kinley’s safe with you two.”

  “’Course she is. Hey, sugar.” Caroline sat down on the coffee table in front of Kinley. “Tonight is manicure night. Just wait until you see all the nail polish I brought. I’ve got rhinestones too. Everything for enough bling to blind the boys.”

  Kinley giggled and looked at Reid. “I like her.”

  “Me too.” He turned to Brandon, who still looked a little starstruck. “I’ll text when we leave the park, but call if anything happens.”

  “We’re fine.” Caroline’s voice assured him they were. “Have a good time and get out of here.”

  Reid hurried from his apartment down to his Lexus and headed toward Em’s town house. The streets of Old Town overflowed with the normal array of summer tourists searching for experiences that made the local history come to life. Or maybe they simply wanted a good meal or some ice cream to cool down.

  He pulled into a street parking spot a few feet from her door and climbed from the car. When he knocked on the front door, he saw movement through the gauzy curtains, and a minute later she opened the door.

  His lungs clenched, and he had to blink a couple times as he took in her appearance. She was wearing a sundress in bright pink with a polka dot sweater thrown over her arm. The broad-brimmed straw hat secured to her hair made her look ready for the Kentucky Derby. Between the dress and hat, he wouldn’t lose her in the crowd.

  “You look amazing.”

  A pink almost as bright as her dress crawled up her neck to her cheeks. He liked the look of softness and femininity it gave her.

  “Thank you.” She closed the door, then took the arm he offered and walked with him down the stairs. After he settled her in his car, she pivoted toward him. “What grand adventure are you taking me on?”

  “Is a surprise good?”

  She studied him a moment before nodding. “I’m not usually big on surprises, but I’ll let you do it this time.”

  “So it’d better be a good one?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “What’s that look like?”

  “Roses, good food, and sweet music.”

  “Hmm.” He opened the dash and made a show of shoving things around as he tried to ignore the feel of her soft skin against his arm. “I’m already doomed since I forgot the roses. Any special color I should know about?”

  “You’ll have to surprise me.” Her smile had a coquettish tinge to it, and he couldn’t resist smiling back.

  “We’ll see if I can hit the rest of your list.” He was feeling good about his chances as they drove toward Vienna and the park.

  �
�I finally got the article turned in that my editor has been demanding. The night Kinley came home with you, the words began to flow. Olivia sounds pleased.”

  “Sounds like you are too.”

  “I’d begun to wonder if I could write again. With the Haven in such chaos, they don’t need the pressure of my salary right now.”

  He bit back the urge to tell her he knew she didn’t need the money at all, but decided that was her secret until she chose to share. As he listened, he could forget the stress of the competition at work as well as the legal wrangling with Robert. For a little while those stressors lessened their hold on him. Though from everything he was seeing, Robert would be plenty busy trying to snake his way out of the murder charges the prosecutor was pursuing. It wasn’t an open and shut case, but it wouldn’t be an easy escape.

  As they turned into the park, Emilie started bouncing on the seat like an overexcited teenager. “Did you get tickets to the show?”

  “I may have.”

  “Can you believe I’ve only been here one time, but I loved it. The setting is perfection.”

  He slid into a parking space, then pulled the basket and a picnic blanket from the trunk. “I have folding chairs if you’d like them.”

  She shook her head, and the hat miraculously stayed in place. “Leave them for now. I like the idea of enjoying a picnic on the lawn.”

  When they reached the grassy field leading to the amphitheater, people had set up areas for their picnics all around. The scent of rain highlighted the air, but the clouds didn’t let it loose. Instead, the sun poked through, its rays warm on his face as he flipped the blanket open and let it settle to the grass.

  As soon as Emilie sat down on the blanket, he opened the basket and pulled out tubs of food. In no time she was spooning dainty samples of each onto two paper plates.

  “This is amazing.”

  “You can thank Whole Foods for that.”

  She leaned toward him. “I’ll thank you for getting it.”

  A light breeze ruffled her hair, and he leaned forward to tuck a newly loosened strand behind her ear. She stilled and he didn’t pull back. The sparks of electricity were almost enough to create lightning, and he knew he wanted to experience every charged moment.