Drake Forever (Unrestrained 7)

"Good morning, Daddy," Kate said and continued her actions, wiping Sophie's bottom and putting on a fresh diaper. "You're up early. It's my day so you could have slept in."

"And miss seeing my two girls first thing in the morning on a sunny day? Not a chance."

Kate turned to the window and smiled. "It is sunny. We should take advantage of it and go for a walk."

I kissed her and then kissed Sophie. "I have the trial this morning. Maybe I could meet you and Sophie in Central Park at noon and we could have some lunch and take a walk? Then you could go to the studio."

"Sounds perfect."

"I'll go take a shower and get ready," I said and kissed them both once more.

* * *

Later, after my shower, I held Sophie in my lap at the kitchen island while I ate my breakfast of toast and coffee.

"What's happening in the trial today?" Kate asked, pouring herself some coffee.

"More of the same, I guess. The prosecutor will continue to build her case against Lisa and the defense lawyer will cross-examine and try to poke holes in it."

"When will you testify?"

I shrugged. "I'll get a call. I imagine after the state has presented all its forensic evidence and interviewed all its experts."

"I'm sorry you have to do it," Kate said and came over to me, taking Sophie from my arms. "It'll soon be over. A few more weeks."

"Let's hope so. Either way, we'll go somewhere warm and get away from it all."

Kate smiled and bounced Sophie on her hip. "I'll talk to my dad today and see what he says. I'm sure I can talk him into a vacation."

I stood and drank down the last of my coffee. "I hope so."

I kissed them both again, and then texted John, to let him know to bring the car around. After getting my coat and boots, and pulling a baseball cap low over my eyes and wearing sunglasses, I left the apartment, hoping I could maintain my anonymity as I had the previous day. Outside, John, opened the rear passenger door for me.

"Good morning, Dr. Morgan," he said.

"Good morning, John. And I've told you, please call me Drake." I got in the back and once John was inside, we drove off towards the courthouse. I didn't relish having to avoid the reporters and paparazzi, but I'd escaped their notice before and hoped my luck would hold up.

The streets of Manhattan were busy at that time of day and there were a few delays so I arrived a bit later than I would have liked. Still, I managed to make it into the courthouse without being detected. John parked several blocks away and we took a less-traveled route to the side entrance, where he left me after he saw I got in safely. Once inside and past security, I took a place at the back of the courtroom. I was just in time for the judge's arrival but unfortunately, when I sat in the back row, Lisa's brother glanced around and saw me. He did a double take, and then shot me an angry glance that unnerved me a bit. A big man with thick arms, he looked like a dock worker or construction worker instead of a security guard. He was big.

Crap. Now he knew I was there. I'd have to make sure I left before he did so I wouldn't have to face him. I knew from reading the gossip columns about the case that he blamed Derek -- and me -- for Lisa's 'corruption' and felt that if anyone should be going to jail, it was me since Derek was dead and couldn't be punished further. He looked so angry all the time when being interviewed on television, glancing at the c

amera, like he was trying to call me out. I was glad to have John waiting for me outside the courthouse.

Once court was in session, the first few witnesses -- several police officers -- described their part of the case and how they had gone about collecting evidence. We listened to a forensic team member report on the location of the body, and how Derek's corpse had been buried in a shallow grave just a dozen feet into the woods beside the cabin. Finally, the medical examiner talked about the wounds and estimated time of death.

Just before noon, Lisa's brother Jeff got up and left the courtroom, passing me as he did. When he walked by me, he pointed at me and spoke almost under his breath.

"I'm not done with you," he said and then disappeared outside the door.

The woman beside me, middle aged and clutching her bag on her lap, turned to me. An expression of shock spread on her face that would have been humorous if it had been for any other reason.

"Who are you?"

I shook my head. "No one."

I leaned back as the heads of a few people seated around me turned to look my direction.

Damn...