Her answer seems to satisfy them.
* * *
“How was your first appointment at Palmetto?” Courtney sits on the end of the bed polishing her toenails. She’s strangely calm, considering what she’s facing.
“It was really great, actually. Mrs. Wolfe is a sweet old lady, and it was cool having someone taking care of all the paperwork for me.”
“I really appreciate you taking over my clients this week.”
“Yeah, well, we need the money.” I exhale, dropping to the bed beside her. “I would say you’re too upset, but I don’t think that’s true. What’s going on?”
She shrugs, moving to her other foot. “I talked to Ollie. He’s so happy being in Fireside. Jesse is out of school already, so they’ve been playing together.”
“You haven’t given up, have you?”
“No, I’m feeling good. Spencer texted me to be strong, and Ollie said he went to see him yesterday—”
“He did?” A pang of hurt cramps in my chest.
She must hear it in my voice, because she frowns up at me. “He still hasn’t called you?”
“It’s okay. I’m sure he has a lot going on.” Such a lie, but whatever. “What did you say? He texted you to be strong? What does that mean?”
“I don’t know exactly. He just said he was working on new information for the defense.”
“And he visited Ollie?”
“Ollie said he dropped by yesterday. They fed Chartreuse, then they walked to Daisy’s house. Ollie was fussing because he had to play with Melody.”
My head is just spinning, and I don’t know whether I’m angry or touched. “That’s… really sweet.”
“Yeah, he told him not to worry about me, that he was taking care of us.” She blinks up at me with worried eyes. “I want to be pissed at him for ghosting you, but he’s so damn good to my son.”
Chewing my lip, I shake my head. “Don’t be mad at him for me. I broke my own rules sleeping with him again. I should be mad at myself.” Scooting closer, I put my arm around my friend. “If he helps get you out of this, I’ll be willing to forgive him for disappearing.”
I just won’t be getting in his bed again.
* * *
“In this preliminary hearing of the people versus Courtney Shaw, the honorable Beverly Wright presiding, all rise.” The bailiff stands at the front of the empty courtroom, and the few of us in attendance stand.
It’s only me in the front row of the seats behind the railing separating the spectators from the small table where Courtney sits with her team of four well-dressed lawyers.
Across the aisle from us, two disheveled attorneys in messy suits, hastily sort through papers. They seem disorganized and disinterested.
I’m having a hard time understanding why anyone would care that the world has one less abuser today.
I guess that’s why I don’t work in law enforcement.
The judge calls for the prosecution to present their case. A woman from the messy lawyer table with tightly curled hair and a pinched expression steps forward. She briefly outlines the case for the judge.
“Miss Shaw left her husband without notice, taking their young son away in the middle of the night.” The woman acts like she knows anything about the situation. “When he tried to meet with her about sharing custody of the child, she pulled a gun on him. He attempted to wrestle it away from her, and she shot him.”
I’m ready to jump to my feet and yell that’s not even close to the whole story when the judge turns the floor over to Courtney’s attorney.
“Your honor, we can establish a pattern of abusive behavior on the part of Mr. Clayton. Miss Shaw filed numerous restraining orders, which he violated.” The woman steps over to a small projector and flips a switch. “These photographs were taken just one month ago when Clayton showed up at the defendant’s apartment and attempted to strangle her.”
“What are you asking, counsel?” The judge lowers her gaze on Courtney’s lawyer, and the woman holds out her hands.