Chapter 28 The Trial

Liam and I spent the next five days together.Our days were spent swimming in the ocean, lounging on the beach, laying in the hammock on the private patio of the villa and exploring the island. Our nights were spent having sex in every conceivable position, in every possible location in and around the villa.Aside from a slight mishap when we got tangled in the hammock and managed to tip ourselves over onto the ground, we had an incredible time.

We had agreed when I'd invited him to meet me here that we would keep things casual between us, at least for the foreseeable future.I wasn't ready for another relationship now, and honestly, wasn't sure that I ever would be.I didn't know if I would ever be able to fully trust another man after everything that David had done to me.Deep down, I knew that I was also afraid to trust my own judgement when it came to loving and trusting someone else, since I had been so very wrong about my own husband.

In my moments of deeper reflection, I realized that I could never have a truly honest and committed relationship with someone without divulging what I had done. I also admitted to myself that I wasn't sure I could love someone who would be OK with what I had done either.I was sure the dark stain on my soul would always be there. So, for now at least, a casual friends-with-benefits relationship would have to do.

For Liam's part, he told me he was a loner by nature, which served him well in his line of work.He said that he didn't form deep emotional attachments, although he was loyal to the bone to the Flanagan Family, and by extension, to me.He made it clear that he cared for me, respected me and valued my friendship.That - along with great sex - was enough for us both.

Liam was heading to Ireland when he left here. Uncle Pat needed him to "handle the Flanagan interests" in Dublin, whatever that meant. I didn't ask, and I was sure he wouldn't have told me if I had. He was going to be based there for the next year, with only sporadic trips back to the US.We had agreed to keep in touch, and would get together when we could, if neither of us was seeing anyone else at the time.

On the morning of the sixth day, I sent him off to the airport after what he termed "an incredible blow job" that he couldn't wait to experience again.

"Call me whenever you need me, or if you just want to talk. I'll be there for you, Princess," he promised."If you can't reach me on the number you have, get in touch with Conor or your uncle. They'll know how to get hold of me."

"Will do. Thank you, Liam, for everything.This week has been life-changing for me.I feel like I can live again, without David's shadow hanging over me."

The cab pulled up outside the villa then, and Liam gave me one final kiss."I'll be back in Chicago in a few months.I'll call you and hopefully we can spend some time together. Keep me posted on the trial, too. Take care of yourself, Princess."

"You, too.Don't take any unnecessary risks, OK?"

"I'll do my best," he said with a cocky grin, before getting in the back of the cab.He gave me a slight wave, and I blew him a kiss as the cab pulled away from the curb.

My last night on the island was spent walking on the beach.I doubted I would ever come to St. Bart's again. It was beautiful, but this chapter of my life was closed and there was no reason to open it again.I was filled with nervous anticipation for whatever the next chapter would bring.

Returning to Indianapolis, I threw myself into the search for a new home.I was living in limbo, with a strange kind of restlessness, and I hoped putting down new roots would calm that feeling. Rachel and I toured houses and condos all over the city and surrounding suburbs for the next two months, before I found the perfect place.It was a newly renovated Victorian home in Lockerbie Square, one of the oldest historical districts in the city.It was located on one of the original cobblestone streets lined with mature shade trees.I adored the history of the home, much of which had been able to be preserved despite the renovation. Sherry and I had spent weeks shopping for antiques and repurposed pieces for my new home, and I had moved in almost four months after returning from St. Bart's.

Liam and I usually spoke once or twice a week.Conversation was easy between us, as it had always been since the first time I'd met him.He was enjoying life in Ireland again, having lived there as a very young boy.The faint brogue I'd been used to had become noticeably stronger during his time there, and I had teased him mercilessly the first time he referred to one of the men under him as "a feckin eejit".

He had hoped to make a quick trip to Chicago a couple of weeks ago, but had to cancel at the last minute.I was disappointed, as was he.Now that I was more or less settled in to my new home, I might take him up on his invitation to visit him in Dublin.

I had gone on a few dates since St. Bart's, including one with my neighbor at the rental condo that had ended with me spending the night with him. The sex was good, but not like it had been with Liam. I wasn't sure if he had been seeing anyone, but I assumed he had. That was part of our agreement, sort of a don't ask/don't tell policy, unless we got serious about someone else and decided to cut ties.

I had also tied up a lot of the loose ends from the fall-out of David's schemes.The house that David and I had shared, plus the Meridian Street condo had both been sold, and I was able to recoup $2.3 million, which paid off both mortgages.I'd decided to keep the Maui condo, since it had belonged to my parents.I paid off the mortgage on it though, and hoped that I could visit sometime soon.

I'd sold David's cars, and donated everything else that belonged to him.His precious watch collection, as well as my engagement ring and wedding band, brought in a lot of money at the local children's hospital charity auction. Vanessa's personal items, including the bracelet and the things she'd stolen from me, were sold at auction by the storage company.The proceeds were being held frozen by the court, until the trial was over.If she was convicted, the money would be used to pay restitution for her crimes to both Randall and me.

Now, on this bitterly cold January evening, I was meeting Chris and Sherry for dinner at their house.Sherry greeted me at the door, and I grinned at the sight of her little baby bump. They had come home from Greece with more than vacation photos, and I was thrilled for them. Sherry had been hesitant to tell me she was pregnant because she was afraid of upsetting me.I had finally managed to convince her that I was truly happy for them.

I had come to terms with never having a biological child a long time ago. My doctors felt that my pregnancy last year had been nothing short of miraculous, but I now got the birth control shot just to be safe. I had been told that another pregnancy would result in life-threatening complications again for me, so I didn't want to take that chance.

Back when David and I had gotten married, I had always assumed we would adopt.Now, a big part of me felt unworthy of being a parent, given the darkness hiding in my soul. The lengths that I had gone to in seeking revenge frightened me sometimes.It almost seemed like I was someone else then, and I couldn't imagine ever doing something like that again. But I was always aware of it - of the potential for another descent into darkness. So, no kiddos for me, but I would happily rock the hell out of being the favorite aunt to Chris and Sherry's bundle of joy.

Sherry seemed antsy tonight, fidgeting nervously and glancing at Chris often as if she was trying to send telepathic messages to him.I finally had enough.

"What's going on with you tonight, Sher? You can't sit still, and you seem jumpy as hell," I said, eyeing her with concern.

She glanced at Chris for the umpteenth time, before blurting out "Chris and I want you to be the baby's godmother.I mean, not in a traditional religious sense since none of us are churchgoers, but more of a mentor or to step in if something happens to Chris or me."

I smiled and immediately agreed, truly touched that they would ask. I got up and walked around the table to hug her, and then Chris.

She excused herself for what seemed like her tenth bathroom break of the night, and Chris waited until she was out of hearing before telling me quietly, "She was worried that she would upset you by asking. I told her she was being ridiculous.That's why she was so nervous."

I rolled my eyes and smiled."She's a nut, but I love her anyway."I hesitated before asking, "Are you sure you want me to do that, given what you know about me?" I asked softly.

I had made the decision not to tell Sherry what had really happened.It was one thing for Chris to know.In his line of work, he dealt with morally gray areas all the time.Plus, if he were ever questioned, the attorney-client privilege would protect both him and me.I didn't want Sherry to be in a position where she would have to lie for me, although I knew that she would do it in a heartbeat.

"I am absolutely sure that I want my child to have a godmother who is fierce, and who will protect him or her to Hell and back if needed.That's you, honey."

I smiled through my tears, once again reminded how lucky I was to have two such wonderful friends in my life.

The next month brought stress and tension back into my life, and the anxiety that had been dormant for months flared to life as the date for the trial drew closer.

I'd met with the prosecutor again, and he felt confident that the case would be a slam dunk.He had offered them both a plea bargain, but it required a guilty plea for all charges.Scott and Vanessa each insisted that they hadn't gone through with their part of the murder conspiracy, since of course, they actually hadn't. They blamed each other and each accused the other of framing them to take the fall. Since they refused to plead guilty for that charge, the plea offer was rescinded.

Early on the morning of the trial I received a call from Liam, wishing me luck for the day.We chatted for a few minutes, with him promising to see me soon.Chris and Sherry arrived a little early to pick me up, so I had to cut my call short, agreeing to keep him posted on the trial.

Once court was in session, both defense attorneys announced that their clients had elected to plead guilty to all charges except for the attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.Chris whispered to me that they were throwing themselves on the mercy of the court, knowing that the evidence was incontrovertible. He said that it was a common tactic, hoping that their guilty pleas would result in the judge showing leniency when it came time for sentencing.

I was the first witness called to testify, and I made it a point to look directly at Scott and Vanessa during the key points of my testimony. Neither one had the courage to look me in the eye. Chris and Sherry sat by my side for the duration of the trial. Each evening on the drive home, Sherry would come up with new and inventive ways to torture both of them.

The day that the videos were shown to the jury - along with the transcripts of their text conversations - their fate was sealed. It was obvious from the looks of disgust on those twelve faces that Scott and Vanessa were not going to win this one.

I will admit that I got a petty thrill out of the fact that Vanessa cried while watching David talk about how much better I was in bed.The "greasy burger" comparison nearly did her in.The final straw was when David mentioned having sex with a woman named Marissa while Vanessa was out of town.She burst into sobs, screaming incoherently at the image of David on the video screen, asking him how he could cheat on her.I snorted a laugh at the irony of it.After her attorney wasn't able to control her outburst, she was led from the courtroom by two very stern-faced court officers who clearly had no patience for her drama.

Neither Scott nor Vanessa took the stand in their own defense, which did not surprise Chris in the slightest. "There is no way in hell I would advise a client who is clearly that unlikeable to take the stand, especially with the amount of evidence against them."

I was pleased to see Detectives Horton and Dobrowski, who both testified for several hours.The defense attorneys tried to deflect blame and questioned both the evidence and the interrogation techniques, but it was clear that both detectives were well-trained on how to deliver compelling testimony.

The trial lasted three and a half days, and the jury deliberated for less than an hour.A triumphant smile broke out on my face when they were found guilty on both charges.Sherry grabbed my hand and squeezed it, leaning over to whisper "Boo-yah, motherfuckers!" in my ear. I loved my best friend.

At the sentencing the following month, Vanessa had to be helped to her seat by the prison matron.She was pale and gaunt, and quite frankly, looked like hell.Scott once again had a black eye, so clearly he wasn't making any friends in prison.

The judge announced that their sentences were to be served consecutively, and Chris flashed me a subtle thumbs up. They were both sentenced to twenty years for the attempted murder and conspiracy charges.Vanessa received an additional two years for forgery and five years each for mortgage fraud and embezzlement. She would be eligible for parole after sixteen years.

Scott received an additional four years for forgery, three years for drug possession, ten years for mortgage fraud and five years for wire fraud.He would not be eligible for parole for twenty-one years.I had the pleasure of seeing the usually cocky Scott look totally defeated, and Vanessa was damned near catatonic at the news.

Chris and Sherry dropped me off at my house that afternoon, after I'd declined their offer to go out to celebrate.I just wanted to shower away the stench of breathing the same air as those two, put on my comfy pajamas, and sit in front of the fireplace with a glass or two of wine.

I unlocked my front door and stepped inside, closing and locking it behind me.I tensed slightly as I realized that my alarm didn't give a warning chime as it should have when the door opened.I glanced at the keypad next to the door and saw "System not armed" on the display. That was odd, because I always, without fail, turned on the alarm when I left the house.

I jumped and whirled around as I heard soft footsteps behind me.

"Hello, Princess. I hope you don't mind, but I made myself at home."