“Well?”
“That is the man who has been trying to kill me. His name is Susumu Takumi. At least,” I added wryly, “to the best of my knowledge. He didn’t seem interested in introductions the first time that I saw him.”
“Thank you, Miss Rivers. That is all we need.”
~
Ages later, or a scant forty-five minutes if the clock on the stove was to be believed, I hauled the strap of my duffle bag over my shoulder and looked around my home. The anger had come and gone, maybe not completely gone, but with Susumu dead, there wasn’t anyone for me to take it out on anyway. The shock would probably surface later.
For now, well, for now, it seemed unbelievable that anyone could purposefully inflict this kind of damage. I sifted through my emotions, pushing aside the worry about what the cleanup would entail, banishing the little part of me that wanted to throw a party because Susumu had been killed by the police, and chose to embrace gratitude that once again God had protected me, protected BeeBee, and had given me good friends to help me through this insanity.
I joined BeeBee and Landon on the front stoop. “I’m ready to go.”
“What about the door?” BeeBee asked.
I pointed to the cruiser pulling into the parking lot. “Sheriff Kent reassigned the deputy watching Besuto Auto Repair to sit here for the night and make sure nobody breaks in. I think he brought some boards or something to temporarily seal the place up. The rest, I’ll deal with tomorrow.” Fighting exhaustion as the adrenaline drained from my system, I trudged toward my truck. The plan was to drop Landon off at a hotel near Sam and Griff’s place since his car was out of commission.
“You have court tomorrow.”
I sighed at the reminder. “Then I’ll deal with it on Tuesday. Right now, I don’t want to look at any of it any longer.”
Chapter 28
“Why did you wait until morning to tell me all of this?” Sam’s outraged expression made me cringe.
“I know, I know. Best friends are supposed to wake up infinitely concussed best friends and render them sleepless by explaining all the scary details of another near-death experience so that nobody in the house gets any rest.” I let the sarcasm linger in the air, pursing my lips. It really wasn’t right to have to start Monday off by getting scolded.
“Yes. Exactly.” Sam crossed her arms. “Where do you think the saying ‘misery loves company’ came from anyway? Probably some set of friends who constantly kept the other worried and tired by telling each other all of their problems. Just like friends are supposed to do.”
“I’m not going to argue with you.”
“Because you know I’m right.”
“Because I have to get dressed for court.”
“I already picked out some clothes for you,” Sam said like I shouldn’t be worrying over something so silly. “They’re over there on the couch.”
My phone beeped. I looked down at it and then narrowed my eyes at Sam. “Did you tell Gladys?”
“BeeBee, do you want some more coffee?” Sam focused everywhere but on me at that moment.
“Do you know what you’ve done?” I asked. “Gladys is texting me a whole new list of things she thinks we need as supplies.”
Sam concentrated on stirring cream into BeeBee’s coffee cup, half a teaspoon at a time.
Exasperated, I threw my hands in the air and walked over to the couch, grabbing my clothes. “I’m leaving,” I said less than ten minutes later. My hair was in its usual messy bun and I opted out of makeup. If I were going to testify, I would be comfortable in my own skin doing it. Thankfully, Sam had been considerate of the day ahead of me and picked out professional but oh-so-comfy slacks and a loose peasant top blouse. If there were a breeze in the courtroom, I would feel it. Besides, I’d been almost buried alive, shot at, and exposed to more dead bodies than I ever cared to see again. Let me talk in front of some people – piece of cake. Mmm cake.
“Cake.”
“What?” Sam raised an eyebrow at me. Even BeeBee tilted her head in confusion.
“When court is over, or I’m dismissed, whatever the process is, I want cake. A really, really big chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.” I licked my lips and grinned.
“You’re so weird,” Sam winked.
“OMG!” BeeBee exclaimed.
I chuckled, seeing that Victoria and Millie were rubbing off on her already.
“What?”
“We forgot to tell Sam about the really good news!”
Sam groaned. “More news?” She clasped her head in her hands. “I’m not sure I can take any more news from you two.”
“You’ll like this,” I promised. “Go ahead, tell her.” I nodded at BeeBee.
“Flo sold over 150 orders thanks to the Fourth of July promotional. Millie says that means you have to do your hair patriotic!” BeeBee did a little dance in her chair. “So. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to call my stylist that’s what.” Sam grinned and grabbed her phone, heading to her room. “Crank the truck,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll be right there.”
We met Landon at his hotel before we left Seashell Bay; he had offered to escort BeeBee for a taxi ride to get her to work at Flo’s on time.
~
“All rise.” I stood along with the others present in the courtroom as the judge entered.
Sam had refused to give us any details on her upcoming hair makeover on the ride to court. If possible, it looked like more people were in the courtroom today than there were last week.
I waved a little paper fan in front of my face, making small motions, trying not to be noticed.
Sam leaned toward me and whispered, “Victoria is making your cake.”
I raised my eyebrows, sitting back down as the judge told the room we could be seated.
“But if you pass out, I get to eat the whole thing and you can’t have any.” She leaned back in her seat with a cocky smirk.
I all but growled at her. Growling in court though, they might lock me up for insanity instead of obstruction. The back door opened and Sheriff Kent entered. I watched him have a word with Officer Campbell, who scowled but nodded at whatever Sheriff Kent had to say.
Catching my gaze, the sheriff gave a slight nod before settling into a seat in the back of the room. I refocused my attention to the front of the court. All witnesses were ordered out of the room, same as last time. I found a place on the bench in the hallway closest to the door. The first person called to testify was Alice, the woman in charge of the cleaning crew at The Cove’s Cabins.
When Alice came back, she was being escorted by a uniformed officer and they stepped into a smaller room down the hall. I didn’t have time to wonder about Alice’s fate; they called my name next.
Slow breaths, in and out. I coached myself all the way down the aisle and into the witness box. I took a seat, pleased to see that my hands were still. No shaking.
“Please stand and state your name for the record.” Judge Rickson looked down at me.
“My name is Piper Rivers.”
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”
“I so swear.”
“You may be seated.”
I sat again. So far, so good. Just remember Piper: cake. Okay, I’m not really that terrible of a person. I came to testify for justice, not for cake. Cake just happened to be a tangible bonus awaiting me.
The prosecutor came forward, I think his name was Thomas but I couldn’t recall if that was a first or last name, and addressed the jury. I listened with one ear, not really concerned with them but with my own breathing. I didn’t feel dizzy; a good sign if ever there was one. The speech to the jury included a list of all the things the prosecution intended to prove against Regina Wilson today. Murder, abduction, and trafficking in people appeared to be the biggest ones. But who’s counting?
“Miss Rivers,’ Thomas rounded on me. “I understand you were abducted and held captive agains
t your will by Regina Wilson?”
“Yes, sir.”
“When did this occur?”
“Last weekend, the 23rd of June, when I was trying to find my friends Landon and Griff.”
“And did you find these two friends?” Thomas pressed.
“I did. Regina had them tied up in a room at the Thai Massage Parlor in Lion’s Cove.” Focus on Thomas. He’s just one person. Ignore the others in the room. I can do this. I am doing this. Elation bubbled up in me as I realized my nervousness had vanished. I didn’t feel ill or worried. I intended to tell my whole story and find peace from this nightmare. Regina would get whatever the court determined.
Thomas spoke again and I listened more closely. “I believe you presented evidence to Officer Campbell with a confession by Regina Wilson?”
“Yes, sir. A voicemail on my phone. I emailed the file to Officer Campbell, but it went missing.”
“Do you still have the voicemail.”
“I do.”
“Is it present in this court.”
“It is.”
“Your honor,” Thomas tilted his face up to the judge. “I move that the cell phone of Piper Rivers and voicemail within be accepted as evidence, exhibit A.”
“Motion accepted.” Judge Rickson tapped his gavel on a round wooden plate.
Thomas held out his hand and I turned over my cell phone into his waiting palm.
“Your honor, I would like to play this voicemail evidence for the jury to hear.”
“You may.” Judge Rickson inclined his head.
Thomas stepped over to the witness box and twisted the long microphone to the side, away from me. Handing the phone back, he asked that I access my voicemail for him.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” he addressed the room while I fiddled with the buttons entering my code. “What you are about to hear is an admission of guilt from Regina Wilson herself. Please listen carefully.” Thomas took the phone back from me and pressed play, holding the speaker close to the microphone.
Old message the phone chirped. Then the voicemail played, loudly and condemningly:
“Hello,” Regina’s voice spoke. “I just knew you would call. Listen carefully.”
“Who is this?” my voice snapped.
A muffled sound.
“Regina, where is Griff? And Alice?”
“I’ll ask the questions here,” Regina barked over the phone. “What did Alice tell you?”
“Nothing. We never got to speak with her. Did you set the cabin fire?”
“Aren’t you a smart little cookie; if you keep your mouth shut, then nobody has to get hurt.”
My voice again, angry. “Nobody else, you mean? Last time that I checked, two people are dead.”
“And isn’t that unfortunate. Unless you want it to be your boyfriends here, you’ll do as I say.”
“What do you want, Regina?” my voice held a small tremble.
“I want you to go bake your crummy desserts tonight and act normal. Don’t go poking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Tomorrow, I’ll send instructions where you can find your friends and that idiot cleaning woman with the big mouth.” The voicemail ended. Regina had hung up on me that day.
Silence hung thick in the air. Thomas took his time closing the phone and placing it before the judge, letting the conversation sink in for everyone present. If there had been crickets chirping, we would have heard them loud and clear.
The defense asked for a recess. I was led to wait in a separate area with the other witnesses. My stomach growled. Glancing at my watch, I saw that it was getting close to eleven. Maybe I should have grabbed more than a donut for breakfast.
Half an hour passed before the bailiff returned to collect us. We filed into the courtroom and took seats on the benches. I squeezed back into the row with Sam. Griff had arrived late at some point; I noticed him sitting by Sheriff Kent in the back.
“All rise.”
We stood as Judge Rickson entered from his chambers. I looked around. All of the witnesses were present. That must mean there would be no more testimony today. I wondered if the defense had demanded another recess.
“Court is in session.” Judge Rickson tapped his gavel once. “You may be seated.”
“Your honor, permission to approach the bench.”
“Counsel may approach,” the judge agreed, nodding to the defense attorney.
I found myself leaning forward, as if I might catch snippets of the private conversation, and forced myself to sit back. Being able to hear anything from here was impossible, anyway. After a few moments, the judge nodded and the defense attorney returned to sit beside Regina.
“Regina Wilson, it is the court’s understanding that you wish to enter a plea of guilty. Is this correct?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Do you understand that by entering a plea of guilty, you waive your rights to file any further motions and your right to appeal?”
“I do, your honor.”
“Does the prosecution understand and agree with the nature of this plea agreement?” The judge looked at Thomas.
Thomas stood. “The prosecution agrees, your honor.” With a nod to the judge and the defense attorney, he sat back down, folding his hands in his lap.
I looked at Sam, a silent question. She shrugged, not sure what was going on either.
Judge Rickson picked up his gavel. “Let the record show that on this date, Regina Wilson enters a plea of guilty to one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder, five counts of kidnapping, and conspiracy to traffic in persons. Regina Wilson, per the plea agreement made today, you are hereby sentenced to three consecutive life sentences, without the chance of parole.” The gavel banged and Judge Rickson swept regally off the stand, robe flowing, and returned to his chambers.
A buzz of conversation erupted all around. I sat, stunned. It was over.
Making our way out of the crowded courtroom took a while. When at last we reached the lobby, Sam, and I were able to catch up to Griff and Sheriff Kent.
Griff wrapped me in a giant hug, planting a kiss on my cheek. “You did great,” he squeezed me tighter.
“You really did,” Sam agreed.
“Thanks. Does that mean I get cake?”
BeeBee doubled over laughing as Sam rolled her eyes. “Yes, you get a cake.”
“Good. I’m starving.” I smiled, then grew serious. “What happened though? I thought several more witnesses had to testify and the jury would come to a verdict. Why did Regina plea?”
“You really don’t know?” Sheriff Kent cocked his head.
“Know what?”
“That voicemail you saved had Regina dead to rights admitting to two murders. Add that to the list of other charges and she was easily facing the death penalty, which her defense attorney was smart enough to recognize when he heard the recording.” Sheriff Kent rocked on his heels. “They cut a deal with the prosecution right after to have the death penalty taken off the table if she confessed. I don’t know for a fact, but if I were the prosecutor, I would have also insisted on names or other evidence for the trafficking charges.”
Understanding, I nodded. “So. Regina will live the rest of her life in federal prison, but she’ll live.” The sheriff nodded. “What about Susumu and talking to Campbell about her being helpful?”
“I told him about that case, but technically none of Regina’s information resulted in the apprehension of the criminal. He wasn’t found at either of the location’s that she gave up.”
“Makes sense. One other thing confused me. Why didn’t Alice ever come back after she gave testimony?”
Able to answer that one, Sam spoke first. “Alice admitted to knowingly engaging in labor trafficking. Regina supplied her with women for the cleaning crew and Alice barely paid them. Regina threatened to put them back into massage parlors if Alice was ever unhappy with their service.”
“How awful!” I would never understand treating people as if they were a c
ommodity instead of a human being.
“I’ve got to get back to my own county now,” the sheriff shook Griff’s hand and waved bye to the rest of us.
Griff took his leave as well. “I’ve got a few buildings to see to today,” he told us. “I’ll check in later.”
“How are you feeling, Piper?” Sam asked me quietly as we walked across the parking lot to my truck.
I considered the question. I knew Sam was asking physically; she was glad I hadn’t passed out but still concerned. The truth was, I felt fine. About all of it. “I feel good,” I said honestly. “I did a good thing today, and a woman who hurt countless people will never be free to do so again. I faced a fear of mine and overcame it. We don’t have to worry about Susumu popping out of the woodwork to attack anymore. It’s like the sun came out after a rainy afternoon.”
“Plus, there is about to be cake.”
I grinned and hugged Sam to my side. “Plus, there’s that.”
We got into the truck and I cranked it up. I started to turn up the volume, but Sam reached out and stopped me.
“I forgot. There is one piece of bad news.”
My mind spun over the possibilities as I waited for Sam to speak. When she didn’t, I sat back and turned to face her in my seat. “Well?”
“You may die – when you see my patriotic hair this weekend!”
I covered my head in my hands as Sam cracked up laughing. “Cruel. You’re just a cruel woman,” I told her. “I thought something terrible had happened at the bakery or that your Post-Concussion Syndrome might be getting worse.” I shook my head. “When is your hair appointment?”
“Thursday. Oh, that reminds me - yours is tomorrow. To get your ends touched up.” Sam smiled.
Chapter 29
From the courthouse, I drove us straight to the bakery. Victoria was alone in the kitchen when Sam unlocked the back door for us to go inside.
Ooey Gooey Bakery Mystery Box Set Page 45
