by Lane Hart
I hate seeing her so upset and wish Cannon and Conrad were here with us and Bailey was the one suffering in jail… That’s when a thought suddenly occurs to me. Jeez, and I know it’s not a great time to ask her about such a traumatic event, but I have to. “Did he take you to a doctor in town?”
“What?” Hannah asks, blinking her puffy and red eyes at me like that’s the last question she expected.
“I know it’s probably not something you want to talk about, but I have a good reason for asking. Did your father take you to see a doctor in town or somewhere else when you were pregnant?”
“It wasn’t in town. At the time I didn’t realize it, but now I know that he took me up to see a doctor in North Carolina because he didn’t want anyone around here to find out I was pregnant.”
“That may be exactly what we need to go after the fat bastard!” I exclaim, bouncing up on my knees.
“What do you mean?” Hannah asks.
“When did this happen? Do you know the exact date?”
“Yes,” she answers as if it’s something she’ll never forget it. “It’ll be five years on May ninth.”
“Then we’re in luck,” I tell her and then wince. “Sorry. That’s not what I meant. I mean, there’s a five-year statute of limitations. Do you think you could remember the name of the doctor you saw?”
“Maybe if I see it again.” She grabs her phone again and starts typing on it, and then she scrolls for several tense minutes. “Nothing is ringing a bell.”
“Let’s try the medical board of North Carolina. If he was that shady, then maybe he lost his license at some point in the last few years.”
“Good idea,” Hannah says.
Half an hour of searching and she says, “This is him. I found him! His name is Dr. Lionel Blackstock. He had an office in Lumberton, North Carolina before his license was suspended two years ago!”
“Thank goodness you remembered,” I tell her.
“So now can you explain how this will help Conrad and Cannon?”
“It’s the beginning of a potential plan, but don’t get your hopes up,” I warn her. “We know that the local cops won’t go against the former chief, and there are probably no state cops that will either. But the feds might.”
“The feds?”
I nod. “Bailey took you, a minor, across state lines for the pills to terminate your pregnancy without your knowledge. He committed murder – premeditated murder and crossing state lines make it fall under the federal jurisdiction. I have an associate from law school who is a new Assistant United States Attorney in Raleigh. I’ll talk to him tomorrow and see what he thinks, you know, if they would prosecute a corrupt cop or not. We may not be able to prove that he sent two men after me or ruined the Kings’ businesses on purpose, but you and others know that you were pregnant and that he gave you the pills.”
“If he’s arrested, would we be able to get Conrad and Cannon out of jail on Monday?”
“I think we’ll have a good shot, yes. Not to mention, he’ll have to drop out of the race for mayor, although, I wish I could beat him fair and square first.”
“Oh my god, Hannah! You’re a genius!”
She throws her arms around me with more strength than I was expecting from a pregnant woman.
I really hope I don’t let her down, because Hannah’s quickly becoming more to me than just a friend. She’s almost like a sister. It’s nice to finally have something close to family, so I’ll do whatever it takes to try and see this plan through.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Cannon
By Monday morning, I’m more depressed than I’ve ever been in my life. I thought Conrad would feel the same way, but he seems so…hopeful because he has someone to go home to if we get released on bail today.
He’s been talking to Hannah most nights on the phone, but we only get one call, so I use it to let our parents know that we’re still alive. Madison hasn’t been to visit me, and I haven’t talked to her. Part of me is glad because I’m sure she’s mad as hell about what I did on camera during the debate. Still, it would’ve been nice to see her face for a few minutes.
Thankfully, Conrad and I haven’t had any other beatings. Most of our bruises are turning a yellowish-green and healing, but we still look like shit. I’d like to think we gave as good as we got, and that the dirty uniforms who attacked us have decided we’re tougher meat than they’re used to chewing up.
The transport bus to the courthouse is quiet that morning. And when we get to the holding cell outside the courtroom, there are two suits complete with a bag of dress shoes hanging up waiting for us, along with our criminal defense attorney.
“The suits are probably overkill since there probably won’t even be a hearing,” Jeffries tells us after he convinces the guards to uncuff our hands and feet since we’re in a secure room and need to change. “At least you’ll look like nice, decent boys in them.”
“What do you mean there won’t be a hearing?” Conrad asks. “I have to get out of here!”
“Calm down,” the attorney says, eyeing the guards in the holding cell with us. “You hopefully won’t need a hearing, because I’m going to try my best to get the charges dropped altogether.”
“What makes you think you can do that?” I ask skeptically. “We both did what we’re charged with and there were witnesses both times.”
Jeffries opens his brown, leather portfolio and carefully removes a letter that has a yellow “Exhibit A” sticker on the top right corner. It’s on a raised US Attorney letterhead. “What is it?” I ask since I can’t read it upside down.
“It says that Franklin Bailey is under federal investigation for a multitude of crimes, the worst of which is the murder of an unborn child, his own grandchild.”
“Holy shit!” Conrad says. “How did this happen? Did Hannah go to the feds?”
Jeffries shakes his head. “I believe it was Madison Monroe who realized that Hannah could have a federal case since the pills used in the commission of the crime came from North Carolina.”
“Wow,” I say in surprise, because I thought Madison would’ve left us here to rot. Maybe she doesn’t hate me after all.
“We’ll talk more later. I better get back to the courtroom before the judge opens court,” Jeffries says.
“Thank you,” Conrad and I both tell him at the same time before the guard opens the door and lets him leave.
“I can’t believe it,” Conrad says to me as we both stand there frozen in shock. “I thought I would have to plead guilty and miss everything with the baby.” There’s a sheen to his eyes when he turns away and busies himself with getting his suit on.
Not only did Madison save us, but she also gave my brother back something priceless – time with Hannah and the baby.
Fuck, I love that woman.
There, I can admit it at least to myself.
Conrad and I both hurry up and get our clothes on. It takes a while to get all the shirt buttons done and our ties fixed before finally throwing on the suit jackets just as the guards motion for us to go into the courtroom.
I don’t even hear the first part of what the attorney says to the judge; I’m too busy searching the crowd. Most, if not all, of the Savage Kings are here with their significant others, not that you would know them on sight since they traded in their cuts for nice suits. They look like a bunch of businessmen, if you didn’t know any better.
Our parents are near the front, looking concerned as usual, and I try to give my mom a smile. Finally, I spot Madison a few rows back, partially hidden by the taller men in front of her. She’s wearing the same white suit she wore the first day we met, her dark hair pulled back, looking perfect. Sitting next to her is a clean-cut guy with short brown hair wearing an expensive-looking pinstripe suit and even a matching vest and tie. He looks like he belongs in the courtroom, unlike us Kings who are probably all buying off-the-rack casual suits that are better suited for weddings or church events.
At first, I think he co
uld just be a stranger who happened to sit down next to her, but then I watch as the two of them whisper to each other back and forth. Madison has a smile on her face, and she looks…happy with him.
I may hate just the sight of the other man, but I can still admit that he’s the type of guy she belongs with – someone who works on that side of the courtroom and didn’t just leave a jail cell in handcuffs.
When Madison’s gaze lands on mine watching her, I force myself to face the front of the courtroom and pay attention to what’s going on.
The attorney explains to the judge about the federal investigation for the baby he made Hannah lose, and how Conrad lashed out at him that day when he found out about it for the first time. Then he gets to me and my charges – saying that I had been there the night two men tried to hurt Madison; and if I hadn’t scared them off, she could’ve been raped and killed. I still can’t stand to think about what could’ve happened if I hadn’t heard her scream. The fact that Madison and I believed it was Bailey, since the attackers pressured her to drop out of the race, is why I was so angry I hit Bailey at the television station.
The judge is an older, white-haired man with a thick beard who looks more like a wizard than a man who hears court cases. His expression never changes during our attorney’s arguments or the district attorney’s counter. If he didn’t blink now and then, I would think he was just a wax figure.
Finally, though, the judge calls an end to the bickering attorneys and says that, as a magistrate, he can’t dismiss the charges, but that he’ll refer the case to Superior Court and allow Conrad and I to both be released on a written promise to appear in court to have all this hashed out again.
“Thank you, Your Honor,” our attorney says. And as soon as the judge recesses for fifteen minutes, he turns to us. “This is great news! You’ll get out today, and I have no doubt that the Superior Court judge will dismiss the case. Especially if Bailey is arrested before the court date in a month.”
“Thank God,” Conrad says as he turns and finds Hannah in the audience.
“You’ll need to ride back to the station with the guards. I’ll meet you there to make sure they release you immediately,” Jeffries says.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“Can I talk to my girlfriend and parents for a second?” Conrad asks.
“Yes, but make it quick and stay on this side of the bar. You need to be out of here before the judge comes back.”
“Okay, sure,” Conrad says as he turns around, and Hannah is suddenly there, wrapping her arms around him as she stretches over the bar to get to him.
Our parents are next in line for hugs, and then I see Madison coming down the aisle with the flashy suit guy, so I take a step to the side so she can come closer.
“Hey,” I say as I drink her in from head to toe. “I heard you worked some legal magic to make this happen.”
“I did what I could,” she says with a small smile, and then grabs the man’s arm to pull him closer. He’s tall and lean, but I still have about three inches on him. “Cannon, this is Daniel. He’s a law school associate who works in the US Attorney’s Office in North Carolina. I gave him the information, and he got the ball rolling on the investigation of Bailey.”
“Thanks,” I tell him as I hold out my hand to him. He eyes it down his nose as if he doesn’t really want to shake hands with a man like me, but finally he does. Then it’s a challenge of strengths. He may have done us a huge favor, but I still have to make him pull away first. His face winces, and then he lets go.
“Give us a minute, and I’ll meet you at the car?” Madison asks, and he gives her a nod before he turns and walks out of the courtroom with a glance at her over his shoulder before he leaves.
“So, you’re coming home!” she says excitedly. “I’m so glad for you and Conrad both.”
“Me too,” I agree.
“The FBI agent is in town today and would like to meet you and Conrad both in your attorney’s office this afternoon, if that’s okay? You’re not in trouble. He just needs you both to give statements about Bailey blackmailing you.”
“Yeah, we can do that,” I agree.
“Good,” she says, and she looks nervous. “The US Attorney also put some agents on me until after the election, which means you’re free from babysitting duty and I can go back to my place.”
“Oh,” I say in surprise. “I’m sure Jake and Lucas will be glad to finally go home.”
“Yes, I’m sure they are.”
So that’s it then? Madison just told me she doesn’t need me hanging around and she won’t be staying with me anymore. It’s a nice way to say that she doesn’t want anything else to do with me. We’re done and over. No more flirting or arguing or making love. It’s what I wanted, right? To avoid getting my heart crushed?
“Guess everything worked out,” I mutter. “And I’m glad that Conrad and I are out in time to vote for you in two weeks.”
“Me too,” she agrees. Then she says softly, “I’ve missed you.”
“Oh yeah?” I say in surprise since that’s the opposite of what she just said. “You didn’t call or come see me.”
“Cannon, I tried,” she says. “There were no visiting hours over the weekend; and since I wasn’t an attorney at your attorney’s firm, they wouldn’t let me in that way either.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you tried,” I say doubtfully. “Looks like you were pretty chummy with Daniel.”
“He’s sort of a friend and was my biggest competition from law school,” she says as she stares down at her fingers clutching the wooden bar between us.
“That all, huh? Just a friend?”
She shakes her head without looking at me. “He asked me out to dinner at The Library restaurant tonight.”
“Fancy,” I say and realize that Madison never let me take her out to dinner. It was always carryout or cooking at the house because she didn’t want to be seen with me. “I’m not surprised. I’m sure the two of you will be happy in your designer suits. I can see the family portrait now, even your babies will be wearing vests and ties.”
“I haven’t said yes yet. I thought I would ask you first, Cannon. Do you want me to tell him no?”
“You can do whatever the fuck you want, Madison. You don’t need my permission.”
I walk away, back to the holding room without another word because I’m too fucking pissed to speak to anyone else.
Hell, I knew this was going to happen – that the two of us would never end up together. How could we ever be a couple if she won’t even eat a meal in public with me? And as much as I hate it, I don’t blame her. I want her to be successful, to achieve all of her career goals.
“What was that about with Madison?” Conrad asks when he joins me in the holding room where I’m sitting on the bench, waiting on him and for the guards to drive us back to the station.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Really? Do I have to remind you what you told me as soon as you were arrested? How you said you were falling in love with her?”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t do commitments or ultimatums. I walked away from a woman I knew I loved and could’ve been happy with when Kimberly gave me an ultimatum. I won’t be forced into marriage or even into a secret relationship.”
“I seriously doubt Madison is already talking about marriage,” he says as he stands in front of me. “So, what was her ultimatum?”
“She has a date tonight with that son of a bitch in the suit! She wanted me to tell her not to go, to make a fool of myself when she’s going to choose someone like him over me one day anyway!”
“She wanted you to tell her not to date someone else?” Conrad asks.
“Yes.”
“Bro, come on! She was just giving you a chance to tell her how you feel about her. Maybe she doesn’t want to make a fool of herself by thinking that you, a known playboy and one-night stand king, could only want her. I don’t think she would have asked if she didn’t want you to tel
l her no.”
“If she didn’t want to go out with him, she could just say no, not put that shit on me!”
“So, you want her to be alone for the rest of her life, just because you’re scared of taking a chance on a relationship again?”
“Yes,” I blurt out and then realize how stupid that is. I can’t have her, but I don’t want anyone else to have her either.
“I bet she’s been working her ass off trying to get Bailey charged and us out of jail and that it’s come before her campaign when she’s less than two weeks away from election day! That’s insane!”
“Maybe she knows the election isn’t a big deal now because Bailey is going to be arrested.”
“She doesn’t know that! And from what little I know about the woman, she wouldn’t just give up on trying to win until it’s over.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Get your head out of your ass, Cannon. Don’t let her slip through your fingers out of fear. At least have the balls to see if you could be happy; because honestly, I don’t see you going back to one-night stands again after Madison. She’s ruined you, in a good way. It’s time to finally man up and tell her how you feel.”
“Well, shit,” I mutter.
“What?” Conrad asks.
“I think you might be right.”
“Hell, I know I am!” he says with a grin.
Several long hours later and, as promised, Conrad and I are both free men. When we get home after the FBI interview at our attorney’s office, I was half expecting Madison to be there. I went up and looked in her room where all her things are still lurking, but she’s not here.
No, tonight, she’s probably with another man.
As soon as I get a quick shower, I debate putting on my normal clothes, jeans, a hoodie and my leather cut, or a suit. But Madison knows what she gets with me, and it will never be a man who is comfortable in suits.
Then, because the weather is already much warmer than it was last week, I get my bike out of the garage and take it to The Library restaurant to wait for her and her guy to show up so that I can tell her how I feel, even if it means getting rejected. Fuck, I hope she doesn’t turn me down.
