His hand pointed to him.
“We can’t use your money,” Sandy said. “Something wrong with the signatures or something. And we’re not married. It’s one of the things I thought we’d work out when you get settled. That’s all right because I’m making enough money to cover expenses. Delphie over fills our refrigerator and Sam’s taken the kids shopping a couple times. We eat dinner with them on most nights. So, we don’t really need a lot of money.
“I’ve been driving your car.”
He patted her leg.
“I know. Good thing because it’s been dumping snow. March in Colorado,” Sandy said. “Crazy weather. When you get back, you’ll find that the stations have been reset. But I figured you could change them back.”
His hand moved toward her belly.
“Baby?” Sandy asked. “We’re going tomorrow to have the first ultrasound. Hopefully the baby only has two legs and two arms. The kids are coming with me. They want to be involved and I don’t see any reason to keep them out.”
Aden collapsed back against the bed. It was almost as if his desire to know about her and her news drove him to consciousness. Now that he had an update, he could rest. Sandy held his left hand until she was sure he was out again. She went to get the nurse.
A doctor came in and woke Aden again. Sandy winced when Aden yelped with pain. They tested his reflexes and made sure he could move his limbs. Finally, an anesthesiologist put Aden into a medical coma.
The doctors told her Aden would be under until his brain had time to heal. Once Aden was stable, he would return to Canon City’s hospital ward. He and Pete might spend their entire time prison sentence in that hospital ward.
Sandy watched the doctor’s mouth and hands move as he talked. Aden owned that same Tag Hauer watch. Aden used to have the same manicured nails and perfect haircut. Her eyes flit back and forth from the doctor to the man in the bed. When the doctor stopped talking, she nodded because she knew he expected her to. The nurse escorted her back to Molly.
Molly looked up at Sandy and took her hand. Together, the two women waited for news about Pete.
~~~~~~~~
Friday early morning — 2:30 A.M.
Between Colorado Springs and Denver
“I’m worried about you,” Seth said as they sped along I-25 back to Denver.
“Why?” Sandy asked.
“You have a lot on your plate,” Seth said. “Most of it has nothing to do with you. Aden’s kids, Aden’s problems, Aden’s injuries, your father’s legal issues, your mother’s horrible greed, your father’s estate. The list goes on and on. Here we are at 2:30 in the morning trying to get back to your temporary home because?”
“The kids need me at home,” Sandy said.
“They aren’t your kids, Sandra.”
“Whose kids are they? Come on, Seth. They have no one. Their psychopath mother’s in prison. Their father’s in the hospital or prison or hospital-prison. They have no grandparents. They just have me.”
Seth’s silence spoke more than any words he could have said.
“And who do I have?” Sandy asked. “I have you, the girls, and them.”
Seth glanced at Sandy then nodded.
“We need each other.” Uncomfortable, Sandy changed the subject. “What did you find out about what happened to Aden and Pete?”
“Aden has a brother,” Seth said. “According to his records, he didn’t list any family in prison.”
“I doubt he knew his brother was there.”
“I did his background check,” Seth said. “His story checked out. He arrived at home from school and his family was gone. He was fifteen years old. Youngest of seven kids. He was the only Norsen, of those still living, who is not in prison.”
“Until now,” Sandy said.
“I supposed it’s my fault for not telling him about his siblings. It just never occurred to me. Anyway, Aden’s brother should never have been at minimum security,” Seth said. “Canon City is overcrowded. There’s no room for the hard cases. Aden’s brother has done well in with the structure of prison. They thought it was a safe risk.”
“What is he in for?”
“Murder. He’s a lifer.”
“Murder!? A murderer was in minimum security!?”
“The overcrowding is really horrible. They built a new prison for the hard cases but the state can’t afford to open it. These guys are scattered around the system. There’s been five or six murders by these hard cases this year alone. Aden was lucky he wasn’t killed.”
“What happened?” Sandy asked.
“According to the tapes, Aden and Pete walked into the exercise area and were attacked by Aden’s brother. It was frenzied attack - quick and deadly. Aden was out with three punches. When Aden fell, he was kicked and stomped on until Pete jumped in.”
“Where were the guards?”
“Another great question,” Seth said. “They were in the middle of shift change. Something Aden’s brother would have known, but no way Aden could have known.”
“How did it end?”
“A couple prisoners had worked for Lipson Construction. Big black guys. One held Aden’s brother while the other got in the way. As soon as they intervened, all the black guys got involved. It could have been a riot. But one of the guys, the first guy, kept repeating, ‘Dis man’s gonna hire me. Promised me when I went in. Alls I gots to do is stay off drugs. Can’t hire me if he’s dead.’ If it wasn’t so horrible, it would be pretty funny. They had everything under control by the time the guards showed up.”
Digesting the story, Sandy fell silent.
“How’s Pete?”
“They did what they can do,” Sandy said. “It’s 50-50. One of his ribs punctured a lung, he had multiple brain injuries and his heart is messed up. I don’t really understand it. Pete’s a drug addict. They think his heart was damaged by the drugs. The doctor said he would either improve tonight or they’d need to talk about when to terminate care.”
“Terminate care?”
“Pull the plug. Delphie’s having one of her transition ceremonies for him tonight.”
“Oh,” he said. “Is Aden that bad?”
“I don’t really know. He has brain injuries too. The doctors said they would put him out for a few weeks to see how he does. I… I have to believe that he’s strong enough to get well.”
“You wish you could stay with him.”
“Yes, I wish I could stay with him,” Sandy said. “But I wish a lot of things. I wish he hadn’t gone off at my father. I wish he wasn’t stupid enough to believe my father had molested Noelle. I wish Dad was still alive. Every day, I wish that. I wish my mother hadn’t lost her mind or could see that I was the one victimized. Not her, me. I wish…”
She stopped talking when Seth patted her leg.
“I have to focus on what’s right in front of me, Seth. I have two frightened traumatized kids to deal with. Whatever else, including Aden, has to come after them. He made his choices. He takes his consequences. That’s what he always says.”
“He fails to see that you have to deal with the consequences of his actions.”
Sandy patted her belly and Seth smiled.
“How’s the baby?” he asked.
“The one thing I’m doing right,” Sandy said.
“Wait until it’s born,” Seth said. “The moment it’s born, you cease to feel like you do anything right.”
“Good to know,” she said.
“We have another hour,” he said. “Why don’t you rest? I’ll make sure you’re updated if anything happens with Norsen or Pete.”
“The doctors said I could call. We left Molly there. She’ll need…”
“Just rest for a while Sandy. You can take care of the world later.”
Sandy smiled.
“Plus, there’s donuts at the end of this journey.”
Sandy drifted off with a smile on her face and lingering thoughts of donuts in her dreams.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
&n
bsp; The past returns
Friday morning — 5:25 A.M.
Dressed in her pajamas, Jill ran down the stairs from the loft. Her bare feet made a tight drumbeat as she pounded past the landing. Slipping around the corner, she almost ran over Honey. Honey had been wheeling at top speed toward the stairs. Jill caught Honey’s chair before they fell over.
“The jury returned!” the women said together.
“Ann just…” Jill started at the same time Honey said, “I got…”
They both gave a nervous laugh.
“You first,” Jill said.
“The jury insisted on staying all night.” Honey’s voice was fast and excited. “The victim’s advocate said they reviewed every bit of evidence, everything. She got the call this morning. The jury has reached a decision. That’s what she said. ‘The jury has reached a decision.’ What did Ann say?”
“Pretty much the same thing. Ann said she was sure they would stay the weekend. After all the befuddling counter testimony and everything else, she and the DA thought the jury was confused and would want the weekend. But…”
“The victim’s advocate said this was good news.”
“Ann said a quick verdict is usually a guilty verdict.”
The women beamed at each other.
“We made it!” Jill exclaimed.
Honey nodded.
“Ann said that sentencing would be in a couple weeks.” Jill bit at the skin on the edge of her thumb. “She said that the jury may make a recommendation but since it’s not a capital case, the judge decides on a sentence.”
“I hope she’s put away for life.”
“At least,” Jill said. “We’d better get dressed! We’re supposed to be there at seven. They want Katy and Paddie there too. Oh, I need to call Colin.”
“Jill?”
“Shoot I don’t know if they’re in town,” Jill continued her nervous chewing on her thumb.
Honey put her hand on Jill’s arm. She pulled Jill’s thumb from of her mouth. Jill looked down at Honey.
“Congratulations!” Honey beamed. ”We made it through three weeks of hell!”
“Congratulations to you,” Jill said. “You’re amazing!”
“I’m so excited to get back to work and my regular life,” Honey said. “Oh and guess what?”
“What?”
“The doctor said MJ and I can try for a baby again next month,” Honey beamed. “Can you imagine? Done with this crap and a baby. I hope I get pregnant right away.”
Jill leaned over to hug Honey. She kissed her cheek.
“Now let’s go get dressed!” Honey said.
Honey spun in place and wheeled off before Jill could say another word. Jill took the stairs to the loft two at a time. Leaning against the door, she couldn’t help but smile.
The trial was almost over.
~~~~~~~~
Friday morning — 8:25 A.M.
The Castle
Delphie wandered through the main Castle living room. Today, by some act of the Goddess, everyone would be gone from the Castle until after dinner time. After her miserable night, Sandy was working today. Noelle and Nash were at school and work until they went to see the baby this afternoon. Honey, MJ and Jill plus Jacob, Katy and her little friend, Paddie, were at the trial. Delphie even thought most of Jill’s family was going to be there to hear the verdict. Sam was covering for Jacob, and Aden. He left early and would be home late. Valerie and Mike weren’t due in from Prague this evening. Rosa and her cleaning team had arrived early and finished their weekly scouring of the Castle. Even the dogs were at the groomers today.
Tonight, they would have a lot of celebrating to do – Valerie was home; Mike’s art show opened on Sunday; the awful trial was over; Aden and Pete had survived the night and seemed to be gaining strength; and a new baby to love for Sandy, Noelle and Nash. As always, dinner would be a loud, laughing party.
But for now, Delphie had her Castle all to herself.
After months of longing for the solitary peace and quiet of the empty Castle, she felt a little lonely. She straightened a pillow on the couch. Patting the cushion, she decided to take a bath in Sam’s big tub. She was almost to the hall when she heard a noise. Turning, she gasped in horror and stepped back.
Johansen stepped into the living room. The demon from her childhood had arrived to take her back.
“Hello Chastity,” he said.
Raising his hand, he used his psychic powers to grip Delphie’s mind. She fought him off as she and Jacob had practiced since Christmas. She was barely able to defend herself. Invisible to the naked eye, the two powerful psychics were locked in a battle of will and mind. Feeling a burst of his energy, Delphie panicked. She forgot all she’d learned and took off running toward Sam’s room. Johansen caught her at the door.
He wrapped his hands into her bottle bright red hair. He smashed her forehead against the door to stun her. Using both of his hands, he pressed his will into her mind.
“You’re mine,” he said.
~~~~~~~~
Friday mid-day — 12 noon
York Street Club
“My name is Enrique.” His anxious voice came out in a croak.
“Hi Enrique,” the men in the room said.
“Among other things, I am an alcoholic. It’s been two days since my last drink.”
Sitting outside in his car, he’d almost thrown up from the terror of simply walking into this AA house. Now that he was here, he felt all right, nervous, but almost as if he belonged. Enrique sighed with relief when the man next to him introduced himself.
One day at a time.
That’s all he had left.
~~~~~~~~
Friday early afternoon — 1:15 P.M.
“Mr. Blanchard, are we ready to hear the verdicts?” the Judge asked.
After arriving early, they had spent the morning waiting for the defendant. She and her attorney had attempted to renegotiate her plea bargain. Today! After three weeks of nonsense, she’d decided she wanted the plea. The victim’s advocate said she was abusing the victims. Their office filed some special form on Jill, Katy, Paddie, and Honey’s behalf. The District Attorney was furious. Listening to the Judge, Jill could tell that the Judge was angry too.
“Let us proceed,” the Judge said. “Have you reached a verdict?”
“Yes, your honor,” the jury foreman stood. He gave a piece of paper to the bailiff.
Jill watched the tiny slip of paper move across the room. Jacob grabbed her hand. Sucking her thumb for the first time since last summer, Katy snuggled further into Jill’s lap. The little family braced for the verdict.
The Judge’s dark fingers made the piece of paper seem bright white. The Judge gave a small nod.
“I’d like to poll the jury,” the Judge said. “Do you agree with this verdict?”
One at a time, the jurors stood to say, “Aye.” When the last juror sat down, the tension in the courtroom raised a notch.
“To the charge of assault with the intent of murder, the verdict is…”
Jill thought she would pass out.
“Guilty!”
Jill wanted to cheer and scream but she knew she’d get thrown out of the courtroom. Breathing deeply to control her excitement, she heard:
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.”
The step-sister was found guilty on every single charge!
EVERY CHARGE!
MJ covered Honey in a hug. Jill and Katy hugged Jacob until Paddie begged to come up. With Katy on one hip and Paddie on the other, Jill hugged her brother, Steve, and sisters, Megan and Candy, and mother, Anjelika, until she ended up back in Jacob’s arms.
The Judge pounded her gavel to gain order. Finally, everyone sat back down.
“The jury has requested special circumstances,” the Judge said. “Even though I am not a fan of the death penalty, I’m sorry to say t
hat special circumstances are not allowed in this case. Somehow Honey Lipson managed to survive, so we are unable to entertain the death penalty in this case. That said, I will determine sentencing in two weeks.”
With another pounding of her gavel, the Judge adjourned the court.
“Let’s celebrate,” Honey said.
“Let’s!” Jill replied.
“I guess that’s our cue,” Jacob patted MJ on the back.
The happy group left the courtroom to celebrate their victory.
~~~~~~~~
Friday afternoon — 2:35 P.M.
The Castle
Sitting on the edge of Sam’s bed, Delphie conserved her strength. She’d endured hours of psychic interrogation as a young child. She could endure it now that she was strong, well loved, and experienced.
But she was starting to lose track of her answers. His questions had become wild, crazy and off centered. She said whatever came into her mind. If her answers were vague or unclear, he would hurt her either use his psychic powers to squeeze her mind or hit her.
She’d do almost anything not to be hit. She had hated being hit as a child. She hated it now.
Why hadn’t he taken her back to Leadville? What was he waiting for?
When he was hungry, he dragged her into the kitchen by her hair to demand that she make his lunch. He used to only like restaurant food, expensive fancy food. But today he only wanted a sandwich. That was all a sandwich. They ate and he returned to his crazy interrogation.
Thank the Goddess that age had taken any sexual urge from him. While she was certain she would survive whatever he dished out, she just didn’t want to have to endure him today.
She’d become so accustomed to being loved, respected, and cared for. These hours with Johansen were almost more humiliating than when she was a child, when she didn’t know better. Every time she was ready to give into her despair, she saw Celia near her. Celia’s support helped her through the worst of the day.
“I need a glass of water,” she said.
“You may get one from the bathroom, Chastity,” he said. “I’m going to take a nap. If you leave, you will die. Your mind will break into pieces. You know this. No Marlowe can save you now.”
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