Following the man, Ace whispered in his ear. “It’s like they’ve sealed our fates already.”
Nick wasn’t too impressed with the lack of title before his name. He’d served Golden well, to the best of his fucking ability, and they were treating him like a criminal.
As they entered the tribunal room, he was shocked to see so many people in the pews. Along the front wall was a panel of seating for the mayor, two councilmen, and the superintendent of Kootney-Columbia County Sheriff’s Department. One empty chair remained.
; They walked in, sat where their lawyer pointed, and waited for the questions to commence. Before they could ask who the empty chair was for, Judge Maddox entered the room. One of the coldest sons of bitches Nick had ever witnessed in court. He had no compassion for criminals, especially predators.
“Gentleman, I apologize for my tardiness. My granddaughter just had to show me one more pirouette before I left her this morning.” It took a moment for him to realize the judge was talking to him and Ace.
“We were just shown in ourselves, Your Honor. Besides, family first.” He and Nick had mostly seen eye to eye on things involving the law; however, he had to admit that having the man oversee their hearing intimidated him quite a bit.
“Let’s begin then, shall we.” As the judge took his seat, Nick heard the door they had just walked through open again but didn’t turn around as he watched the men up front speak quietly. The Mayor said, “We bring this hearing to a start in the case of professional misconduct on behalf of Sheriff Nick Kelly and Deputy-in-training Ace Mitchell of the Golden, British Columbia Sheriff’s Department. Gentlemen, you understand why your actions in regards to amnesia victim Pepper Nicole Wallace and her attacker are under question here today?”
“Yes, sir,” Nick answered. They’d both agreed that unless directly called upon, Ace would remain quiet because he didn’t have much tolerance for his actions being taken into question.
“Before we begin, Mayor, I took the liberty of doing some digging of my own. Spoke to a few people and made a couple of calls. I’ll be honest, this feels more like a witch hunt for persecution than a hearing for justice. This is to place blame instead of finding the truth.” Judge Maddox shocked him with those words.
“Your Honor, this is– “
“I don’t care what this is. Frankly, it’s bullshit. Now shut your trap and listen. I had the pleasure of speaking to a very smart young woman, a passionate woman. I think she deserves to have her say now.” Nick’s entire body froze. His eyes closed as he turned. “After all, this was her life on the line.”
“Pepper Nicole Wallace,” she repeated to her reflection in the mirror for what felt like the millionth time and probably was. “Twenty-four years old. Administrative assistant to the CEO of JHT Construction.”
Since waking up four days ago with her memory fully intact and her pain level the highest it had ever been, she had never felt better. She remembered who she was and what she found important in life. Pepper knew where she belonged before a doctor had even been in to see her. An hour after what was another intrusive exam, James had gotten her the information she needed to know about what was going on with Nick and Ace. She had cried long and hard about that, knowing she was the cause for their professional problems.
The hospital staff had told her that they called daily. She wanted to talk to them so badly, let them know she missed them like crazy. Tell them she was fine and coming back for them. Regrettably, she didn’t do any of that because she had still been in the hospital dealing with the physical repercussions of this ordeal, and she had to work through her mind as well. Figure out exactly what she wanted and the best way to get it. Because like Tami had told her time and again, she was nothing if not thorough. She planned every detail to a T and wanted nothing left unfinished in Vancouver before she packed up all her worldly possessions and informed her men that they were having that wedding Jake had planned.
Not once while she was planning did she have a single doubt about their true feelings for her. It was hers she’d doubted.
For about five and a half minutes.
The pain of missing them was so intense. She knew they were her destiny, her own fate. The only thing she struggled with was her part in Alex’s death. While he died because of his own actions, she had led him into that cave. She understood what would happen as soon as he entered it. Nightmares about the sounds of the attack still followed her into sleep. Haunting her.
“Pepper Nicole Wallace! Get your sexy ass out here before I drag you out!”
“Tami,” she sighed. She had missed her best friend something fierce. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t remembered the woman; her lack of presence was noticeable.
“I’m coming,” Pepper hissed at the woman, sauntering through the bathroom door. “Must you always be so damn loud?”
“You’re leaving me. I have to annoy you as much as humanly possible, so you miss me, or don’t miss me. Depends on how much I bother you, I guess.” Her friend was a rambler.
As they walked down the long corridor counting doors until they found room eight, she took a deep, fortifying breath as Maddox walked up to her. “Deep breath, dear, you’ll be fine.” He squeezed her hand before walking in. The door closing with a quiet snick.
“You’ll be fine, Pepper,” Tami encouraged from her side.
They listened as there were a few words spoken before she entered the room and sat in the back. Her gaze was riveted to the backs of their heads. She missed them, wanted to run up to them and beg that they take her home. Even if that home was falling apart.
Her body felt compelled to go to them, to be in their arms. She wanted nothing more to do that, but Judge Maddox had also warned her that any emotion showed to them while in the hearing could be held against them. She had to remain aloof, and it was going to kill her.
When the mayor started spewing out his ass about things he couldn’t possibly understand, she wanted to run up to the man and punch him in the throat to shut him up. His voice was obnoxious, like nails on a chalkboard.
Pepper had zoned out during her violent thoughts and only realized all eyes were on her when Tami squeezed her leg. Looking to her friend then back up at the room, her eyes met Nick and Ace’s. So many emotions swam within them: happiness, love, relief, anger.
She held onto the anger as she stood. She needed to believe they were angry at her as she told this panel of dick heads off.
“Miss Wallace, please come forward,” Judge Maddox called. He’d told her when they spoke on the phone over the last few days that she would have to stand at a small podium without fidgeting and to not shy away from any of the stares she may receive. Remain firm.