“Real…” she whispered to Marilyn but loud enough that everyone heard. “It’s real…”
Marilyn looked at Tricia and nodded. She turned back to Jett.
“May I?” She asked.
“Sure…” Jett replied.
And in a manner almost identical to Tricia moments earlier, Marilyn spent the next minute or so touching his fur and paw. In her entire life as a daughter and nearly as long of a friendship with Tricia, Daniella never recalled the two of them being so quiet for this long. Moments later, her mom brought her hand back to her side and looked around the room. To Daniella, she seemed upset, maybe even a little nervous.
“Mom?” Daniella said. “Are you okay?”
Marilyn began to nod but almost as quickly, started to shake her head to the contrary.
“No, I…” she began. She started to stand from the table. “Will you all excuse me for a moment?”
“Mom…” Daniella replied as she got up as well. “What’s wrong?”
Her mother covered her mouth and made her way towards a guest bedroom down the hall. Daniella hurried after her.
“Daniella…” Jett said as she started to walk away. “I’m sorry, I…”
“It’s okay,” she replied. “You didn’t do anything. Don’t worry about it.”
As Daniella passed by Tricia’s seat, her friend looked up at her. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No.” Daniella said. “Stay here for a minute. If I need you, I’ll let you know.”
Tricia nodded and Daniella continued down the hallway after her mom. After a moment or so, she came upon the bedroom door. Marilyn left the door partially open after she went inside. As Daniella peered within, she noticed her mom sat on the edge of the bed with her back towards the doorway.
“Mom?” Daniella said in a soft voice as she rapped on the door.
She saw her mom’s right hand go up and wipe at her face. “Yes?” Marilyn sniffled.
Daniella’s heart sank. A lump of guilt formed in her throat.
***
As she entered the bedroom, Daniella closed the door behind her. She walked across the room and joined her mother on the bed where for several moments they didn’t talk. Daniella cast a sideways glance at her mom. Marilyn’s face was expressionless almost as if she were in a state of mild shock. Even so, it was clear to Daniella the tears weren’t imaginary. Her mother’s eyes were puffy and pink.
Daniella cleared her throat. “Mom?”
Marilyn didn’t acknowledge her so Daniella reached over and touched her mother’s knee. After a few seconds, she turned to face her.
Marilyn shook her head. “What… What is this Daniella? What are you, we, doing here? We don’t belong with these people.”
“What do you mean, Mom?” Daniella asked. “What people?”
Marilyn gestured towards the bedroom door. “Out there… Jett, his family. I don’t understand any of this and moreover, I don’t understand why you want to be a part of it.”
Daniella nodded and began to reply when Marilyn interrupted her. “I mean, what is he anyway? Is he a person? Is he an animal? What?”
Frustrated, Daniella said, “Mom, he explained it all and…”
But as she spoke, she saw the fear and confusion in her mother’s eyes. Even though Daniella thought telling her mom was for the best, now it didn’t seem that way. In fact, it felt like it got worse by the second. Daniella tried to speak once more but her mother kept going…
“Please help me understand why this is okay because right now I don’t and I’m worried about you.” She said. “This whole situation is terribly dangerous. Don’t you see that? I…”
“Mom…” Daniella said as she patted her mother on the knee. “Just… would you calm down for a second and let me say something?”
Marilyn nodded and wiped a tear away from her cheek.
“Thank you.” Daniella said as she got up from the bed and grabbed a box of tissue nearby. She returned to the bed and handed them to Marilyn. “Look Mom, I don’t expect you to understand everything. Hell, even I don’t.”
“Then why…” Marilyn interjected as she wiped her nose with a tissue.
“Mom,” Daniella said as she leaned away from her. “Just let me finish. I promise we can talk about this as much as you want to once I’m done.”
Her mother nodded once again and made a zipper motion across her lips.
Daniella smiled. “Good,” she began. “Mom, you know, just because someone is different, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with them. Jett and his family are good people. Kane did a terrible thing to them and it’s connected to who and what Jett is. There’s no getting around it.”
Her mother’s head dropped a bit as she listened.
“So what does that mean, Daniella?” She asked. “Why does any of what he has to do with this Kane person have to involve you? Isn’t this his problem to handle on his own? As a man? Or a bear? Or whatever…?”
“Yes, I mean… I understand what you are saying.” Daniella replied. “Look, you told me once to never place boundaries on my feelings. If I someone is meant to be with me, then, that’s it. End of story.”
“Daniella, honey, I know but…”
“Mom, no… no ‘but’s’…” she said. Daniella turned and looked over her shoulder towards the bedroom door. “I really don’t know what is going to happen but I am prepared to stand by him through this, no matter what.”
Marilyn took Daniella’s hand in hers. “Stand by him… I understand. Stand with him… no.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean this idea of you going with him to Fesser’s Grove. It’s terrible…” she said. She pointed towards the bedroom door and continued, “How can you hope to do anything except get in his way or worse get yourself hurt or even killed? There’s a whole community of these shifter things and what, they are just going to let you show up and do whatever you want?”
Daniella wanted to say something to disagree with her mom but the truth was she’d come to a similar conclusion on her own. And that was while Owen was still able to help. With him unable to do anything now, it seemed difficult to argue with her mom’s logic. Even so, this was not the time to place any more doubt in Jett’s mind so she kept her concerns private.
“Mom…” Daniella said as she exhaled. “I hear you. Nothing is set in stone. Okay? I promise you I won’t do anything without talking it over with Jett first.”
Her mom nodded. “I suppose that’s the best I can hope for right now, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Daniella said as she went to hug her. “For now… but I promise I heard what you said and I’m not ignoring it, not at all.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
Daniella released her from her grasp. After she did, they sat quietly for a few more moments.
“Honey, I’m sorry.” Marilyn said as she looked down at the tissue in her hands. “I didn’t mean to cause a scene out there. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“I know.” Daniella replied. “You didn’t. Everyone understands. Don’t worry about it.”
Marilyn nodded but didn’t respond. Daniella rubbed her mom’s back and said, “Ready to go back out and join everyone?”
“Yes, in a minute…” she replied. “I’d like to fix my face first. Would you be a dear and bring my purse to me? I’m going to step into the bathroom.”
Daniella nodded. “Sure, Mom. Need anything else? A glass of water, maybe?”
“No, no thank you. Just my purse.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
Daniella walked across the bedroom, opened the door and as she did, she noticed Tricia and Jo stood down the hallway a little. They turned their attention to her as she came out.
“How is your mom?” Jo asked as she approached.
“Yeah, she seemed pretty upset a minute ago.” Tricia added.
“She is… was.” Daniella replied. “But she’s better now and freshening up. I just need to grab her
purse for her.”
The women nodded and followed Daniella back into the kitchen. As she approached, she heard the men talking to one another.
“Everything alright?” Jett said as he stood from his chair. “Where’s your mom?”
“She’s fine,” Daniella replied as she gestured towards her mother’s chair. “Billy, can you hand me her purse?”
Billy reached across the chair, grabbed the bag, and handed it to Daniella.
“Thanks.” She looked at all of them and said, “Everything’s okay. We’ll be right out.”
About ten minutes later, Daniella and Marilyn returned to the table. No one said much as they entered the room but Jett stood and pulled out Marilyn’s chair from the table.
She nodded towards Jett. “Thank you,” She began. “But I won’t be staying I’m afraid.”
“Oh?” Jett replied as he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“No,” she said as she looked around the room at everyone. After she finished, she looked back towards Jett.
“Jett, I had my misgivings about you early on…” she said as she lifted her hand to her chest and covered her heart. “And I believed for good reason.”
Jett nodded in understanding.
Marilyn continued, “But… since that time I’ve learned you are a good person with loving parents. And, I’m very sorry for the loss of your brother, Wyatt. Truly, I am. Even so, as a mother, I am worried sick about my daughter.”
For several seconds everyone remained silent until at last David spoke and said, “That’s understandable, Marilyn. Thanks for the kind words.”
“You’re welcome…” she said. “Believe me when I say they come from the heart.”
“I do.” He replied. “I have no doubt about it.”
“Good,” Marilyn began. “I’m glad. Still, at this point I think it’s best if go ahead and leave. I know that’s very rude but I just need some time to myself… to think things over. I’m very sorry…”
“Don’t be,” Jo began as she shook her head. “If I was in your situation, I know I would feel the same way.”
“Thank you for that.” Marilyn said as she slipped her purse over her shoulder.
“Well…” Billy said as he stood from his chair. “I think that means it’s time for us to get going as well.” He glanced at Tricia. “You ready?”
“Yeah…” Tricia replied.
For the next minute or so, everyone hugged and said their goodbyes.
“I’ll walk you out.” Daniella said after her mom and Tricia gathered up their things.
***
Jett, Daniella, and Billy stepped out on the porch along with her mom and Tricia. As Jett closed the door behind them, the chill of the nighttime air hit Daniella’s cheek. She shuddered before she could get her light jacket on. She managed to get inside and zip it up as they started to walk down the stairs towards their cars.
“I need to talk to you guys about something,” Billy began. “It’s important.”
They stopped about halfway down and turned to face each other.
“What is it?” Daniella said. Jett put his arm around her and pulled her close. It took the chill off almost right away.
“Tricia,” Billy began as he fished around in his pocket for the keys to his car. “Here, go start the car. You and Marilyn get in and I’ll be right there. I have to discuss this issue with them in private.”
Tricia nodded and took the keys from him. As she did, Jett and Daniella hugged Marilyn.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Mom.” Daniella said.
“Okay dear,” she began. As she turned to leave, Marilyn looked at Jett and said, “Thank you for your understanding tonight. I really appreciate it.”
“No worries,” Jett replied. “Don’t even think twice about it.”
After a quick series of hugs all the way around, Tricia and Marilyn walked down the rest of the stairs and headed towards Billy’s vehicle. Billy watched them until he figured they were out of earshot. He raised his right hand to his chin and rubbed it before turning his attention back towards Daniella and Jett.
“So, I’m going to need both of you to come down to the courthouse with me tomorrow.” He said.
They looked at him with confusion in their expressions.
“Why’s that?” Jett asked.
“Yeah,” Daniella added. “It’s kind of last minute Billy. I have to work you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” He said as he lit a cigarette. “I got the text while we were eating. I was hoping to give you a day or two to arrange your schedule but this will probably work out for the best after all.”
“What will?” Jett asked.
Billy slipped his lighter back into his pocket. He took a long drag from the cigarette and exhaled. “Judge Bingham. He’s agreed to meet with me about your case.”
“Who’s that?” Daniella asked.
“He’s the one who decides if this whole plan of yours goes off at all or if the case will go straight to the District Attorney.”
“Oh…” Daniella said.
They continued to walk once again until they made their way out onto the gravel driveway.
“See, I figured as soon as the old man was out of the picture, you two…” he began as the cigarette tip glowed orange from another deep inhale, “… would need more time, probably a whole lot more.”
Jett nodded. “Well, it wouldn’t hurt. What’s the catch?”
Billy chuckled. “You knew there had to be one, didn’t ya?”
“Usually is…”
“Yeah, well, there is… sorta.” Billy said. “The thing is that unless you can convince him that you’ve been framed, he won’t hesitate to move ahead with the prosecution. And believe me, Judge Bingham is no one to mess around with.”
“Why would he believe us?” Daniella asked.
“I’m not sure he will but with me there, we’ve got a shot.” Billy said. “With any luck, he’ll cut me some slack and we’ll be able to get some more time. How much I couldn’t say but at least more than you have at the moment.”
Daniella and Jett looked at one another. Billy dropped his cigarette and ground it out on the crushed gravel beneath their feet.
“I guess we don’t really have any other options do we?”
“I suppose you could make a run for it.” Billy joked. “Of course, I know how to get to Fesser’s Grove so it wouldn’t do you much good. Short of that, no, you don’t.”
Daniella chewed on her lip. “Um, okay, I can try calling in sick or something. What time is the meeting?”
“Nine in the morning, sharp, at the municipal building.” Billy replied. “So in Judge Bingham time, that means eight thirty.”
“Okay then,” Daniella said. “We’ll be there.”
Jett nodded in agreement.
“Good,” Billy replied as he turned to leave. “I’ll meet you there… In the lobby just past security.”
Billy spun in the opposite direction and started to head towards his police car.
“Hey Billy…” Jett called out.
Billy stopped and looked back in their direction.
“Thanks man,” Jett began. “Sorry if I was ever a dick to you.”
“No problem,” Billy replied. “There’s plenty of that to go around for both of us. Don’t thank me yet though. At least not until Judge Bingham has his say.”
With that, he waved at them, climbed into his patrol car and moments later, drove away into the night.
***
Judge Bobby Bingham appeared from a door in the back of the room.
“Get up and don’t sit down until he does.” Billy whispered to Daniella and Jett as he entered.
They nodded as the man came into the private judge’s chamber. He made no eye contact with them whatsoever as he made his way behind the desk and took a seat. As he did, Billy motioned for Daniella and Jett to sit as well. The judge picked up a manila file folder, opened it and began to leaf through the paperwork. After a couple of minutes, he closed
the folder and leaned back in his chair.
“Officer Holder…” he began. “We’ve had what… a half dozen discussions about this case in the past month or so?”
“Yes, Judge. At least that many.”
Judge Bingham removed his reading glasses and placed them down on the desk. He rubbed his eyes for a few seconds and nodded. Afterward, he gestured in Jett’s direction and said, “And this man, the one you’ve been pursuing the entire time and the one the city spent tens of thousands of dollars to capture… Now that he’s in custody, you are proposing what… We don’t move forward with the prosecution?”
“Um, well, your honor it’s a bit more complicated than that but…”
“What evidence do you have?” Judge Bingham interrupted.
Billy cleared his throat. “Ah, it’s circumstantial mostly, some eyewitness accounts…”
“And you are telling me that is more reliable than discovering the fingerprints of the accused on the murder weapon?” Judge Bingham asked as he stared up at Billy beneath a furrowed brow. “Is that what you are telling me?”
“I’m not sure yet, your honor.” Billy said with a hard swallow.
Daniella glanced at Jett with a concerned look on her face. This discussion didn’t seem to be doing anything positive for their situation, at least not yet.
“Mmm, hmm.” The judge murmured. He pointed his finger at Jett but kept his eyes trained on Billy. “And you don’t feel this man is a flight risk?”
Billy kept his eyes trained on the judge. “No. I don’t, Judge.”
“Uh huh.” The judge said as he shuffled through a few more pieces of paper. “What about Ms. Tanner? You’ve implicated her as an accessory after the fact. And now… no?”
“That is the charge at the moment, yes…” Billy began. “But as with Mr. Conrad, I feel there is sufficient evidence to the contrary. Nothing concrete yet of course but that’s why I need a bit of time.”
“Alright, well, if these two…” the judge said as he pointed his finger at Jett and Daniella, “aren’t the ones you are after, you need to tell me who it is and why. Otherwise, there’s no way I can sign off on this plan, Billy.”
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