She smiled back. ‘Love you too.’
She was almost afraid to leave the house but Sydney was eager to go out into the sunny day, and Hannah knew it was the best thing. A picnic, she thought. A day of grace. She made them sandwiches and drinks, and packed the thermal lunch bag in the back of Sydney’s stroller. She checked twice to make sure her cellphone was charged before she slipped it into her pocket and followed Sydney out into the driveway. Sydney was big enough to walk, and once they got to the park Hannah planned to get her out of the stroller, but right now she felt the need to hurry, so as to avoid having to answer a million questions from people on their street. She settled the toddler comfortably in the stroller and began to push her down the driveway and along the neat sidewalks to the park at the end of the block. In the park there were wide, winding pathways, which flanked a meandering stream. The clear stream burbled over rocks under a leafy canopy of low-hanging branches. Once they reached the pathways, Hannah lifted Sydney out of her stroller, and let her explore the periphery of the paths, collecting little stones to toss into the water.
So intent were they on their mission that they didn’t notice the rolling wheelchair until it had almost reached them. Hannah glanced up and then her face broke into a smile. ‘Chet! Rayanne!’ She straightened up and hugged both her neighbors, leaning down to embrace Chet in the wheelchair. Chet’s skin was still a pale, grayish color, and there were deep circles under his eyes, but he smiled broadly and his eyes lit up. ‘You are a sight for sore eyes,’ Hannah said sincerely to Chet.
‘I’m a mess,’ he said. ‘But I’m getting there. Good to see you two.’
In truth, Rayanne didn’t look much healthier than her husband, but she, too, seemed delighted to see Hannah and Sydney.
They both admired Sydney’s collection of pebbles, and Chet expressed encouragement at Sydney’s pitching arm as the toddler tossed them into the stream.
‘It’s so good to see you out and about,’ said Hannah sincerely. ‘I wish I could have been a better friend to you through all this.’
Rayanne squeezed Hannah’s hand. ‘Don’t be silly. You’ve had your own problems. Where do things stand? I admit I haven’t been paying attention to the news.’
‘The case has gone to the jury,’ said Hannah. ‘This morning.’
Rayanne looked sympathetically at Hannah. ‘I’ll pray for you.’
‘You better,’ said Hannah.
‘Did Jamie go back?’ Hannah asked.
‘Not yet. It’s been great having him here. He’s been such a help to me.’
‘I’ll bet.’
‘His girlfriend has to go back tomorrow. Jamie’s here for a few more days.’
‘I’m sure you’re glad of that. Keep him here as long as you can,’ said Hannah.
Rayanne nodded. ‘Listen, if you get the call from the courthouse, you just drop that little one off with us.’
‘Oh, Ray, I couldn’t,’ said Hannah. ‘You’ve got enough to worry about.’
‘I insist,’ said Rayanne. ‘She feels at home at our house. I don’t want that child suffering any more upheaval than she’s already had. I mean it, Hannah. You just leave her with me.’
Hannah sighed. ‘I am so grateful to you. That would really be a load off my mind. Of course, this jury could take a week to decide.’
‘Whenever it comes,’ said Rayanne. ‘Day or night. You hear me?’
‘Thank you,’ said Hannah.
Chet looked up from the game he was playing with Sydney. ‘That’s what friends are for,’ he said.
Chet and Rayanne continued on their perambulation through the park while Hannah and Sydney loitered by the stream. Sydney wanted to take her flip-flops off and step into the water, so Hannah took off her own sandals and joined her at the edge of the shallow, rocky brook. The water which ran over her feet was icy cold, and felt wonderful. The autumn leaves were golden and they fell in spirals from the rustling branches and landed on the surface of the sun-dappled water. The shining gray stones formed a timeless pattern in the bed of the stream as the water tumbled over and past them. Hannah felt somehow relieved of her constant burdens, just standing there, letting Sydney splash around as they enjoyed the early autumn day. She remembered bringing Lisa here when she was a toddler. Nothing had ever been peaceful with her. Still, Hannah was grateful then for this oasis from the heat and the noise of life, and she was grateful now.
Finally, Sydney tired of her explorations and said she was hungry. They sat at a little picnic table under a tree, and had their lunch. Then Sydney chased a few birds, trying unsuccessfully to wrap them in her pudgy arms. Finally weary, she raised her arms to Hannah, indicating that she wanted to be picked up. Hannah bent down and lifted the slight child up. The feel of Sydney’s damp hair, her warm, rosy skin and her beating heart was balm to Hannah’s soul. She was almost happy for the first time in ages. The jury had the case, and they were going to acquit Lisa. There was no way they couldn’t, she told herself. She remembered last night, and Adam’s search on Lisa’s computer. It was like a cloud over the sun but Hannah was determined to put it out of her mind. This whole nightmare was soon going to be over, and Lisa would be reunited with her parents and her child. Hannah felt it so strongly, she was almost able to convince herself that it was going to happen.
She settled Sydney back into her stroller, put on her own sandals, and, after looking at her phone to be sure that she had not somehow missed a call, walked back toward the house. Sydney fell asleep in the stroller, and Hannah did not want to wake her. She parked the stroller under a shady tree, and pulled up a chair beside it. Before she knew it, Hannah too was asleep.
She was awakened by her phone. Her heart leapt, and she blinked at the display, trying to see who was calling.
Marjorie Fox. Still groggy, she fumbled to answer.
‘The jury is coming back in. They have a verdict,’ said Marjorie.
‘Oh my God,’ said Hannah.
‘Get down to the courthouse.’
‘I will,’ said Hannah. ‘Right away.’
She speed-dialed Adam, who answered on the first ring. ‘They have a verdict,’ she said.
‘I’m on my way. What about Sydney?’
‘Rayanne already told me to leave her with them.’
‘OK,’ he said. ‘I’ll see you in ten minutes.’
Hannah took the sleepy, protesting toddler into the house, and gathered up some food, drinks and toys to take to Rayanne’s. Then she quickly changed her own clothes. She could hear Adam’s car in the driveway as she fixed her hair.
She walked out of their bedroom and met him coming in the door. They looked at one another, fear and hope and anxiety mingled in their eyes. They embraced briefly.
‘I’m going to wash my face,’ he said.
‘I’ll take Sydney next door and meet you at the car,’ she said.
Sydney wanted to walk over but Hannah scooped her up, protesting that there was no time. ‘We’re going to see if we can bring Mommy home,’ Hannah explained as she shifted the bag of supplies, whispered in Sydney’s ear and knocked at Rayanne’s back door.
The door was opened by Jamie, who seemed startled by the sight of them. ‘Hi, Mrs Wickes,’ he said.
‘Jamie, we just got a call from the lawyer. There’s a verdict. We’re on our way to the courthouse. Is your mom here? Or your dad?’
‘Dad’s sleeping. Mom went to the store.’
‘Oh,’ said Hannah. ‘Well, your mom said that she would watch Sydney when we had to go to the courthouse.’
‘That’s no problem. Greta and I can keep an eye on her. Come on in, Sydney.’ He reached for the bag. ‘My mom will be back in a few minutes.’
‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ said Hannah. ‘I’m sure you and Greta have better things to do.’
‘Not a bit,’ said Jamie magnanimously. Just then Greta came into the kitchen.
Jamie turned to her. ‘I told Mrs Wickes we’d watch Sydney till Mom got back.’
Greta
immediately brightened. ‘Oh, ’course.’ She put out a hand to Sydney, who looked up at her, fascinated. ‘Come with me, you little minx,’ she said.
Hannah smiled, feeling lucky for their support, and tears of exhaustion pricked her eyelids. ‘Thanks so much.’
‘Good luck,’ said Greta.
‘Right,’ said Jamie. ‘Good luck.’
Hannah thanked them both again and stepped out onto the back porch step.
Jamie hesitated, and then followed her outside closing the door behind him.
‘Mrs Wickes,’ he said. ‘Do you have a minute …’
Hannah turned to look at him and saw consternation in his eyes. Just barely, she thought. It must be about his parents. She reminded herself to be patient. ‘What, Jamie?’ she asked.
‘I’ve been following the trial,’ he said. ‘I read all of the testimony. There was something I wanted to talk to you about …’
Hannah frowned. ‘About the trial? Can it wait? This isn’t really a good time.’
Jamie nodded. ‘Sure. Of course this isn’t the time. It’s just that …’
The door of the Wickes house opened and Adam emerged, waving to the two of them as he brandished the car keys. ‘Hannah, let’s go,’ he called out.
Jamie pressed his lips together. ‘Never mind,’ he said.
‘We really do have to go,’ said Hannah.
‘You go ahead,’ said Jamie. He nodded his head sharply, as if he had made a decision. ‘And don’t worry about Sydney. We’ll take good care of her.’
‘Are you sure?’ Hannah asked uncertainly.
‘Absolutely. You take your time. And give Lisa my best.’
Hannah gave a sigh of relief and rushed to the car where her husband waited.
The courtroom was crowded with spectators, TV cameramen, reporters and officers of the court. Hannah and Adam were worried about where to sit but Marjorie gestured to them to come up to the front. When they got there, Marjorie dismissed two of her support staff who were saving seats behind the defense table and immediately ceded them to Hannah and Adam.
‘She thinks of everything,’ said Adam admiringly.
Lisa turned around and looked at them wide-eyed. ‘This is it,’ she said.
‘Don’t be afraid, darling,’ said Hannah, trying to grab her hand.
‘I’m not afraid,’ said Lisa.
Hannah looked at her daughter, and knew that it was true. Somehow, she wasn’t afraid. She was as calm and detached as if this were all happening to someone else.
The bailiff ordered them all to rise, and everyone in the courtroom stood up dutifully as the judge took his seat on the bench. ‘Bring in the jury,’ said Judge Endicott.
Hannah clutched Adam’s hand as the jury filed in and took their seats across the courtroom from Lisa. Hannah studied their faces, trying to read their expressions. You hold my daughter’s fate in your hands, she thought. Please, please, don’t take her away from us. Or from her child. Please.
The judge turned and faced the jury. He asked the foreman to stand, and then asked if they had reached their verdict. The foreman announced that they had.
Hannah felt as if her heart were being squeezed in her chest. She glanced at Adam and saw his strong features, rigid with anxiety. With excruciating slowness, the judge explained the charges again, and finally turned to the foreman.
‘On the first count, murder in the first degree, how do you find?’ asked the judge.
The foreman hesitated and glanced over at Lisa.
‘Not guilty,’ said the foreman.
A loud gasp and cries erupted in the courtroom, and the judge slammed down his gavel. The crowd lapsed into quiet. Lisa turned and looked at her parents, her eyebrows raised, her face wreathed in a smile. Hannah felt as if she could rise from her seat on wings of happiness. She looked into Adam’s eyes through grateful tears. He was squeezing her in his arms.
‘She’s free,’ Hannah whispered. ‘Oh my God. It’s over.’
‘Order in the court,’ the judge intoned, banging the gavel. The spectators quieted down to a hopeful murmur.
‘On the second count, larceny in the second degree,’ said the judge.
The jury foreman did not hesitate. ‘Guilty,’ he said.
The spectators were quiet. Hannah looked in bewilderment at Adam. ‘What does this mean?’
‘I’m not sure,’ said Adam, his gaze trained on Lisa. ‘I don’t understand. I guess they think she stole the check from Troy.’
The judge offered to poll the jury individually but Marjorie graciously declined.
‘In that case,’ said the judge, ‘I’m ready to pass sentence on the defendant.’
Lisa obediently lowered her head.
‘Lisa Wickes,’ said the judge. ‘You have been convicted of the crime of larceny in the second degree. I hereby sentence you to two months in the county jail in addition to time served.’
Lisa nodded humbly.
‘Bailiff will take the defendant back into custody.’
As the bailiff came toward Lisa, she turned and looked at her parents. Hannah reached for her daughter and managed to encircle her in an awkward embrace. ‘It’s all over, darling,’ she said. ‘You’ll be home in no time.’
‘It’s so unfair,’ said Lisa. ‘I didn’t steal the stupid check.’
The bailiff gruffly told Lisa to raise her hands to be cuffed. Hannah let her go reluctantly. Adam was shaking hands with Marjorie, thanking her profusely. He turned to Lisa, who looked pleadingly at her father. ‘Two more months?’ she cried.
Adam, who had put a consoling hand on her arm, pulled it away. ‘It will be over before you know it,’ he said. ‘We were lucky.’
‘Why?’ Lisa complained. ‘I didn’t do anything.’
‘Lisa, quiet,’ Marjorie hissed. ‘The judge is speaking.’
The judge thanked the jury for their service and dismissed them. He asked the two attorneys to his chambers for a conference, and then court was dismissed.
Lisa looked back at her parents, both relief and resentment in her gaze, as she was led away. Adam shook his head. ‘Doesn’t she realize how lucky she is?’
‘I guess it’s hard to feel lucky when you’re going back to jail,’ said Hannah.
Buoyed along the crowd, Hannah and Adam clung to one another, and made their way out of the courtroom. Reporters besieged them for comments, and they responded to everyone in the same way.
‘We’re very relieved,’ said Hannah. ‘Thank goodness the jury understood that my daughter was innocent.’
‘Not exactly innocent,’ said a bearded young reporter for the Tennessean. ‘She was convicted of larceny.’
Adam turned and looked at him. Hannah could see that he was forcing himself to respond calmly. ‘We believe that it was a misunderstanding about the check but we accept the jury’s verdict. The important thing is that they realized our daughter did not kill Mr Petty, and that she will be coming home in a few weeks. We are very grateful.’
Hannah clung to Adam’s hand, almost blissfully unaware of the cameras, the flashing lights, the shouted questions. Thank you, Lord, she thought.
‘How are you feeling, Mrs Wickes?’ asked Chanel Ali Jackson, putting a microphone in front of Hannah’s face.
‘Happy,’ said Hannah. ‘Relieved. This nightmare is finally over.’
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than her gaze fell on Troy Petty’s sister, Nadine Melton. She was standing, largely ignored by the press, with an assistant prosecutor, and she was gazing at Hannah and Adam, wiping away angry tears that would not stop flowing. As Hannah met her gaze Nadine shook her head, almost as if in warning. In spite of her relief, Hannah felt an unwelcome stab of anxiety. No, she thought. It is over, and she forced herself to look away.
NINETEEN
Rayanne and Chet were waiting for them with a bottle of champagne. Hannah and Adam exchanged hugs with their friends, and with Jamie and Greta.
Sydney was giddy with excitement, even though she didn�
�t really understand what was going on. They all toasted the verdict, and Hannah felt as if the bubbles were going directly to her head.
‘So when will she be home?’ asked Rayanne.
‘Two months,’ said Hannah, embarrassed in spite of herself. ‘I don’t believe she stole that check but we weren’t going to argue. Not after that verdict.’
‘Of course not,’ said Rayanne.
Adam, who had scooped up Sydney and was holding her on his lap, shook his head as he sipped the champagne. ‘Lisa was upset that they had convicted her of taking the check. I don’t think she understood how close she came to spending the rest of her life in prison.’
‘For something she didn’t do,’ Hannah reminded him loyally.
‘I am completely wrung out,’ said Adam. ‘That was exhausting.’
‘I’m sure you are,’ said Chet solemnly.
‘In a couple of weeks, when we’ve both got our legs back under us, let’s go out and play nine holes,’ said Adam.
‘You’re on,’ said Chet.
Rayanne and Hannah exchanged a fond glance. You never realized, Hannah thought, how precious your everyday routine was, until you were in danger of losing it. Both of their families had skated close to the edge. But they were all going to be OK.
‘Well, I don’t know about anybody else,’ said Adam, ‘but I’m going to make it an early night.’
There were murmurs of agreement all around.
‘Rayanne said you’re leaving tomorrow, Greta?’ Hannah asked.
Greta nodded, and Jamie tightened his grip around her waist and tilted his head to smile into her eyes.
‘Well, I wish you could stay longer,’ said Hannah. ‘We didn’t get to spend enough time with you.’
‘Next time,’ said Greta.
Next time. It had such a positive, optimistic sound to it. Greta was already planning to return to Jamie’s home town. Hannah thought to herself what a nice girl Jamie had found. ‘Jamie, this one’s a keeper.’
Jamie beamed at the compliment. ‘I think so!’
Hannah felt a little pang at the sight of him, obviously happy and deliriously in love. Jamie and Lisa had been devoted chums as children. Hannah had always secretly hoped that it would turn into something more. But once they were teenagers, the differences between them became more pronounced. Jamie avoided books and his grades were average. He much preferred playing sports to studying. Lisa, with her glasses and her unruly hair, was young for her class and a brain, as kids said so condescendingly. As if being a brain should be viewed as a handicap, Hannah thought. Now, all the judgments of school days were behind them. Jamie had grown into a fine young man with a steady, if unexciting profession. Lisa, now that this trial was over, had a future of unlimited possibilities in medicine. The last shall be first, she thought.
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