The assistant DA called Julia to the stand, and they went through all the evidence she’d found. It took a few hours to explain everything as simply as she could. The prosecutor led her through everything just as they’d practiced and then it was time for Allen to question her.
“Do you really think you were the best detective for this case?” Allen didn’t even stand.
“Yes.”
“But isn’t it true you were sleeping with the defendant’s girlfriend while you were investigating her?”
“No.”
“May I remind you you’re under oath?”
“I’ll swear again if I need to. I knew the defendant’s girlfriend from high school. We had a few beers and reminisced. I’ve never slept with her.”
“Ever?” Allen said.
“Never.” Julia’s gaze never wavered.
“But you were interested in her, right? Is it possible you planted evidence to send Ms. Donovan away so you could have a clear shot at her girlfriend?”
“I would never do that. I ran the investigation, but my team of officers worked hard to find the evidence and the lab worked hard to prove it was involved in the case. It was a team effort, so I couldn’t have skewed it if I’d wanted.”
Allen looked like he might say more.
“No further questions.”
It was only then that Julia chanced a glance at the jurors. Their faces were unreadable.
Cullen watched Julia come out of the proceedings. What had gone on in there? Julia looked liked she’d been put through the ringer. Had Robert done that to her? And if Robert could make Julia look like that, Cullen could just imagine what he could do to her.
Julia went into the restroom and it took every ounce of self-control not to follow her. When she emerged, she marched right back into the courtroom. She didn’t even cast a glance at Cullen. Good for her. She reinforced Cullen’s own need to be strong.
People started emerging from the courtroom. Cullen checked her watch. It was already four. Wow, the day had flown by. Julia came out and stood with a group of people off to the side. Without looking Julia’s way, Cullen let herself out of the courtroom and drove to Julia’s house.
She let herself in using her new key and helped herself to a beer. She looked around for something stronger and spotted a bottle of amber liquid. One whiff told her it was whiskey and she put the beer away. She needed a stiff drink.
Julia came home about a half hour later and she was not in a good mood.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Cullen went to kiss her, but Julia turned her head away and Cullen planted a peck on her cheek.
“I think you should leave,” Julia said.
“What? Why?”
“Look, it may be like closing the barn door after the horse got out, but I still think we shouldn’t be seen together until after the trial is over. I don’t want anything screwing this up for us.”
“Shit. Well, okay, if you’re sure. I’ll leave. Can I still call or text?”
“Nope, no contact for now.”
“Damn. Okay. You know what’s best.”
Cullen drove back to her house where she mixed a Malibu and Coke. It tasted good and went down easy. With nothing else to do and a ton of pent up energy inside, she stripped to her underwear and went out to her gym.
Her garage was bitter cold, but soon she was warmed up and raring to go. She pushed herself hard, and when it was time to take on her punching bag, it was Robert’s face she saw, not Sara’s.
She woke up the next morning sore after two workouts the day before. She skipped her workout that morning, showered, and got ready for another day in court. She wore a navy suit with a white shirt under it. She contemplated a tie but opted against it. She needed to look respectable, not uber butch. Not that she could hide that fact if she wanted to. She just didn’t need to flaunt it.
That day, Cullen was called to the stand. She fought the bile that rose inside. She was nervous so she took a deep breath. She just had to tell the truth.
When she walked in, Sara turned around in her seat and flashed a broad smile at her. The smile didn’t reach her eyes, though, and Cullen didn’t miss that. She nodded at her and smiled a small smile.
Sara looked like shit. She looked exhausted, and her hair, which had been dyed black, was starting to grow out and her roots looked messy. Her eyes were sunk back in her head, and she looked like she was living a nightmare. She deserved it, though. That’s what happened when you killed people.
Cullen was sworn in and sat on the witness stand.
“Good morning, Ms. Matthews,” Robert began.
“Good morning.”
“Will you please tell the court what your relationship is with my client?”
“She was my girlfriend.”
“Was?” Robert’s eyebrows shot up. “Have you officially broken up?”
“I’d say so.”
“Okay. Details. Tell me how you met.”
Cullen went into the story of meeting at the House of Good Fortune. She then told them how they went dancing after dinner and never looked back.
“Did you sleep with Ms. Donovan that first night?”
“Yes.”
“And did she spend the night or did she leave?”
“She stayed over.”
“Did she seem like she was on drugs?” Robert asked.
“Not to me.”
“What was her personality like? What attracted you to her?”
“Well, she was beautiful, but she was also incredibly intelligent and funny.”
“Could you imagine her killing somebody?”
“No.”
The questioning went on along those lines with Robert trying to get Cullen to paint a picture of a saint.
“One more thing,” Robert said. “When Ms. Donovan started being investigated, did you start seeing someone else?”
“No, I was determined to stick with her. We’d even talked about getting her help to quit cocaine.”
“Thank you.”
The prosecutor stood and walked until she was mere feet in front of Cullen.
“Ms. Matthews, you say you were determined to stand by her yet you no longer consider yourself her girlfriend. What happened?”
“She left town.”
“But isn’t it true she kept in touch with you?”
“Yes. But—”
“So, maybe in her eyes she’s still your girlfriend? Have you visited her since she’s been in jail?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“She ran. Why would she run if she was innocent?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Cullen saw Sara put her head down and saw Robert pat her on her back.
“Thank you, Ms. Matthews. I have no further questions.”
Cullen sat and watched as the prosecutor called more people who had helped with the investigation, including a guy from the lab named Michael Branson. His testimony included pictures of the dead bodies of both Sherry Bergstrom and Donnie, which was tough to take, but Cullen simply glanced away from the big screen. She didn’t need to stare at the bodies, but she listened to Branson drone on. When his testimony was over, Robert cross-examined him. He had nothing to say that was important, Cullen didn’t think. He seemed to be grasping for straws.
But he did make one point. Couldn’t someone have planted that rock in Sara’s yard? Branson said he had no way of knowing how that rock got in the yard. He only knew it was the murder weapon.
The judge declared that that had been enough for one day and dismissed them.
Chapter Thirty-one
Julia sat through the rest of the trial feeling more confident with each new witness. Allen’s witnesses were weak at best and she knew they’d won. At two thirty Friday afternoon, the judge dismissed the jurors with instructions.
Julia sat talking to the prosecutor before she planned to go home and face a quiet, lonely weekend without Cullen. She had just said good night to the assistant DA when it was announced that the jurors h
ad reached their decision.
Her heart fluttered and she took her place behind the prosecutor’s table. She was ready. In fact, she couldn’t wait.
The jurors didn’t disappoint. Sara was found guilty on all charges and would likely be sentenced to life without parole. That would be up to the judge, but Sara had been found guilty of killing two people. The chances of her getting out were slim and none.
The prosecutor hugged Julia and Julia wanted to sing. She took out her phone and texted Cullen.
I’m coming over. Be there soon.
Are you sure that’s smart?
Positive.
I’m just leaving my office now.
I’ll wait in my car.
There’s a spare key under the gnome in the rose garden. Let yourself in.
Will do. See you soon.
Julia wanted to gun it down I-5, but instead sat impatiently in traffic. It was stop-and-go, mostly stop. When she finally got to Bidwell, she made a pit stop to buy wine and champagne then headed straight to Cullen’s.
It was cold and dark, but she found the spare key and let herself in. Cullen’s house was warmer than outside, but there was still a chill in the air. Julia started a fire and had just managed to get it burning when Cullen walked in.
“Hey, babe.” Julia threw her arms around Cullen.
“Well, hello. But I thought we couldn’t see each other.” She rested her hands on Julia’s hips.
“It’s over, Cullen. She was found guilty on all counts.”
“Yeah?” She watched a bright smile spread over Cullen’s face. “That’s great. That’s fantastic news.”
“I know, right?” Cullen kissed her. It was brief, but Julia’s heart soared. “Come on in. I bought some champagne to celebrate.”
“Oh yum, let’s have some.”
Julia poured two glasses and they toasted to Sara’s sentencing, to Julia’s fantastic job, and to their future.
“And speaking of our future.” Julia took Cullen’s hand and led her down the hall to Cullen’s bedroom. “Do you think it’s time? Are you ready? Have we waited long enough?”
“Have you waited enough?” Cullen said. “Have I proven that I’m here for you and only you?”
“I know this, Cullen. I know it in my heart.”
She set her glass on the nightstand and took Cullen’s from her. She placed Cullen’s hands on her hips and placed her hands on Cullen’s muscular shoulders.
“You feel so good,” Julia said. “So strong and sturdy.”
“I’ll always be strong for you, Julia. I’ll be your mighty oak. Lean on me whenever you need to.”
“I’m going to lean on you right now.”
She did just that, pressing the length of her body into Cullen’s while Cullen lowered her mouth to claim Julia. The kiss was frantic, hurried, and intense. Knowing what was to come, Julia didn’t fight the rush of feelings that cascaded over her. Desire and passion washed over her, leaving her breathless and craving more.
Julia soon grew weak in the knees and lowered herself onto the bed. Cullen never broke the kiss as she sat with her. Cullen’s hands were on Julia’s ass, pulling her closer and Julia climbed into her lap, straddling her, grinding into her.
Cullen stroked Julia’s thighs and Julia tensed, bracing herself for what she was sure was next. But Cullen stopped and ran her hands up and down Julia’s arms. She moved them to her back and stroked it while she held Julia tight against her.
Julia felt Cullen’s small breasts against hers and almost lost her mind. She wanted to be naked with Cullen. She was beyond ready. They’d waited so long.
Then Cullen’s hands were on Julia’s face, cupping her jaw and caressing her cheek, and each touch sent sparks flying. She ran her hands through Cullen’s hair, along her back and down her arms before linking them behind her neck again.
Cullen lay back and Julia pulled on top of her. She braced herself with one hand on either side of Cullen’s head and propped herself up to look at her. Her body was alive with desire and her pants felt too tight as her seam rubbed her. Her breasts strained against her bra, begging to be set free from their confines.
“You’re beautiful,” Cullen whispered.
“I need you, Cullen.”
Cullen raised her head and kissed Julia again. She tangled her fingers in her hair and held their mouths together. She ran her hands down her back again and over her arms. Julia was ready to beg for more when Cullen brushed her thumbs over her breasts.
The contact was slight, but it was there, and Julia moaned into Cullen’s mouth. She pulled away slightly.
“More,” she murmured against her lips. “More, please.”
Cullen slid her hand around and cupped Julia’s breast. She kneaded it softly, each squeeze sending Julia closer to spiraling out of control. When Cullen brushed her nipple, Julia drew in a sharp intake of breath.
“Oh God, yes, Cullen. That’s it. Please.”
Cullen slipped her hand under Julia’s blouse and teased her nipple through her bra. Julia fought to maintain composure. When Cullen slid her hand under her bra and pinched her nipple, Julia shivered as an orgasm tore through her. Cullen stopped what she was doing and looked into Julia’s eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m better than okay. I’m just so ready for you. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come so soon.”
Cullen grinned at her then unbuttoned her blouse and eased it off her shoulders. She unhooked her bra and sat gazing at her breasts. Julia’s arousal heightened at the way Cullen looked like she was about to devour her. When Cullen took a nipple in her mouth, Julia arched into her.
“Oh, God, yes. Oh dear God, Cullen. I’m going to come again.”
Cullen stopped what she was doing.
“What? Why’d you stop?”
“Not yet. I want the next one to blow your mind.”
“But…”
Cullen silenced her with a kiss. Julia’s nipples ached. They longed to feel Cullen’s mouth on them again, but so did the rest of her. She needed Cullen in every way. Cullen eased Julia off of her and pulled down her sweats. She peeled off her briefs and sat taking in every inch of her.
Rather than be embarrassed, Julia found herself growing wetter under Cullen’s scrutiny. She spread her legs wider.
“Please, Cullen. I’m in agony. Please grant me release.”
Cullen lowered her head and tasted Julia. Slowly and deliberately, she ran her tongue over her. Julia felt like exploding at every lick, but Cullen never stayed in one place too long. Just when Julia thought an orgasm was about to come, Cullen moved again.
“Please, stop teasing me.”
Cullen buried her tongue deep inside her. She drew it out and sucked her lips. Julia struggled for control. She was a breath away. If only Cullen would let her come.
And then she felt Cullen’s strong, powerful tongue on her and her whole body tensed. Cullen reached up and tweaked her nipples while she flicked her tongue over her clit. Julia’s world coalesced into a minute microcosm. And that tiny space only consisted of the feelings Cullen was creating.
Her center ached and throbbed, and still Cullen pleased her. And then, with one stroke of her tongue, Julia’s world exploded into a million tiny pieces. She screamed unintelligibly as the orgasm she’d been craving ripped her apart. Her body turned to Jell-O as she floated back from oblivion.
Cullen’s ego swelled. She was so proud of herself for getting Julia there. Julia’s whole body was flushed and she was breathing heavily. But Cullen wasn’t through. She slid her fingers inside Julia’s wetness and reveled in the feel of her. She was warm and tight and enveloped her fingers like a glove. By stroking and licking, Cullen coaxed another climax out of Julia. And then another and another.
Julia was so easy to please. Cullen never wanted to stop. Julia tapped her shoulder.
“That’s enough for now, loverboi.”
Cullen was bummed.
“Are you sure?”
Julia was deli
cious and Cullen never wanted to move from between her legs.
“I’m sure. Come here and kiss me.”
Cullen moved up Julia’s body and kissed her soundly.
“You’re delicious,” she said.
“As I’m sure you will be. Just give me a second to come to my senses.”
Cullen had waited this long. What was a few more minutes? She was throbbing and her own thighs were slick with excitement. It didn’t take long before Julia was ready.
She reached over to the nightstand and dribbled some champagne onto Cullen’s breasts. She licked the rivulets that ran down them before sucking her nipples. Hard. The cool liquid and warm breath combined to make Cullen crazy. She rose off the bed at the contact, then held Julia’s head in place until she felt Julia fighting to get free.
Julia kissed down Cullen’s body until she came to rest between her legs.
“Someone’s ready for me.”
“I have been for a long time now.”
“Good answer.”
Julia slowly and deliberately licked every inch of Cullen. Just when Cullen thought she’d settle into one spot, she moved again, driving her mad, but she knew the wait would be worth it. There was no doubt in her mind.
Cullen was filled completely when Julia entered her. She felt a oneness she’d never felt before at their joining. And then Julia sucked on her clit and Cullen could hold off no longer. She closed her eyes tight as the pressure inside increased. She lost all semblance of control when, with one swipe of her tongue, Julia catapulted her into orbit. Her whole body exploded and she watched the lights burst inside her eyelids as she rode the crashing wave of the orgasm.
Julia continued to make love to her and, to Cullen’s surprise, she came again. It was less powerful, but equally satisfying. She pulled Julia up and took her in her arms. Julia snuggled against her and rested her head on Cullen’s shoulder.
“That’s never happened to me before,” Cullen said.
“What’s that?”
“I’ve never come twice before.”
“Seriously? And how many women have you been with?”
Cullen laughed.
“Ha, very funny. Enough to think I was a one climax kind of woman.”
Julia lazily traced Cullen’s nipples.
Scene of the Crime Page 24
