by Sean Russell
The verdict was evident. Jimmy was going to jail and Phil’s court trial was over.
*****
Phil sat on the hard chair outside the operating theatre while the surgeons, not even shouting distance away, were working frantically to save the lives of two women who meant the most to him on this earth apart from him mother. He mulled over the recent events, wondering when he would awaken from this perpetual nightmare. He had been sure that he would be relieved if and when he got over the trial and avoided jail. He never anticipated this.
What was Jade doing with those pictures? Amanda must have contacted her. Why didn’t Amanda just send them herself? He could not have known that Amanda had a late night visit from Pastor Seale, who in addition to threatening her, had threatened Aunt Millie.
Uncharacteristically, Amanda panicked. She sent the pictures to the one person she knew would not hesitate to use them to save her man. She sent them to Jade.
E P I L O G U E
It was another beautiful day. Beautiful because Phil was on the beach relishing his freedom like he never had before. Life was sweet. What made it sweeter was the woman lying by his side. She was gorgeous and he was in love with her.
Jimmy was many miles away, but his thoughts were on the happy couple languishing in the radiant sunshine. He was consumed by vengeance and rage; he always won and he never gave up until he did. He had just finished a phone call. The party on the other end was very powerful, very influential, and Jimmy had the leverage on this person to effect practically anything he wanted.
Jimmy knew it would not be long before he would be free. The other thing he knew was that Phil Ferguson and his beloved were going to PAY.
It was yet another ugly day...
