by Starla Kaye
“I wouldn’t have been able to sleep for worrying about the SOB getting off far too easily.” He hesitated and looked around the courtroom. An older couple in fine clothes, and appearing bored and a bit annoyed to be here, sat on the far side of the gallery. “I’m pretty sure that’s why the Beatons are here.”
Ethan glimpsed in their direction and frowned. “You’re probably right. I don’t think Judge Turner will be impressed. He hates politics and people who try to show off their power. He’s also developed sort of a sweet spot for Toni, having been watching her behavior since coming before him last month. The man doesn’t miss anything.”
The judge fined the defendant in front of his bench and dismissed him. When he looked up, he noticed first the Beatons and then Chad and his father. He had a serious poker face. It was always hard to tell exactly how he leaned on a matter until he gave his decision. Yet from what his father had said, Chad had a feeling the judge was disgusted with what he’d heard about some of Toni’s marital problems. He was well connected to the community’s gossip vine.
The doors opened and Stanley Beaton strode inside, dressed in a tailored suit his parents must have brought for him to wear. His hair was neatly combed; his face freshly shaved. Confidence reeked from him as he moved by Chad, barely glancing at him.
He stopped at the gate leading from the gallery to the counsel tables. He stiffened his shoulders and said coolly, “Judge, this whole matter is a waste of the court’s time and money.” He glowered at Alex, who had moved next to him. “I’m going to press charges against the sheriff for wrongful arrest, speak to the Kansas Bar Association about…”
Judge Turner pounded his gavel on the bench. “I believe it is time for you to shut the hell up, Beaton.”
Beaton puffed up in outrage.
Beaton senior shot to his feet and protested, “My son is right, your Honor. This whole situation is such a farce. And keeping him in jail for almost 72 hours is beyond irresponsible.”
To everyone’s surprise, the judge stood, hands flattened on the bench in front of him. He leaned forward and glowered first at Stanley and then his father. “Your son is dead wrong and so are you. I don’t care what you’re worth. I don’t care what ridiculous influence you think you have. None of that matters in my courtroom. Now sit the hell down or I will have you removed from here.”
Face red in fury, Beaton sat down, muttering to his wife about small towns and small town judges. Except his voice carried throughout the room.
The judge took his seat again, ignored the grumbling older Beaton, and focused on Stanley. “From what I have heard, young man, you are a piece of work. You abused your ex-wife. You used your supposed wealth and influence to make sure it was she who came off as the bad guy. But you mean absolutely nothing in Petersville. Other than a man who should have gone to jail a long time ago.”
Stanley’s hands fisted at his sides. He gritted out, “Whatever you think you know are lies that my whoring ex-wife has spread.”
Chad got his feet, but remained quiet when the judge looked at him and shook his head. With great reluctance, he sat back down.
“Let the judge handle this, son. He knows what he’s doing,” Ethan said quietly.
“I’m not going to get a fair hearing here. You’re biased already,” Stanley bit out.
Judge Turner heaved a sigh of disgust that everyone in the courtroom heard. “This is not a hearing, Mr. Beaton. This is an arraignment on several misdemeanor charges that have been brought against you.”
Stanley stiffened again, hands clenching at his sides again. “But these charges will be on my record, until I seek a misdemeanor expungement.”
The double doors opened once more, interrupting the tense situation. Chad gaped at Toni standing there. He’d hoped she would stay away from this. But she didn’t even look in his direction. Instead she glared in irritation at Beaton.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Beaton snarled. “This whole problem is your fault. I’m going to…”
Senior Beaton was on his feet again, this time focusing on his son. “You are only making matters worse. Be a man, for God’s sake, and face the consequences of your actions.” Then he turned to his wife. “Come on. We’re leaving. It’s time we stopped coddling him. Time he took responsibility.”
Stanley stood rigidly as his parents left the courtroom. A second later he seemed to deflate, like a balloon losing its air.
“Maybe now we can actually get down to business,” the judge said, getting everyone’s attention once more.
Stanley didn’t turn around, though. He looked straight at Toni, his brow furrowing, but he didn’t say a word.
Toni slipped onto the pew next to Ethan, who gave her a gentle smile.
Walking back into this courtroom had been almost as hard as the first time. Her stomach was knotted with nerves. She shivered inside her coat, pulling it closer. She glanced at Chad and his father, whispering, “I had to come. I had to…” She stopped talking. She just had to be here. Period.
Ethan reached over to squeeze her hand in support.
“I’ve been told that you chose not to have a lawyer for this arraignment, Mr. Beaton,” the judge captured everyone’s attention. “Which is for the best.”
Stanley straightened his back and faced the judge. “I didn’t find it necessary.” He didn’t sound quite as arrogant as she’d overheard him from outside the door.
His parents had walked right past her, hesitating, and then hurrying away. They’d come to be there for their son, but something had changed their minds about staying. Stanley was on his own to defend his actions; no doubt for the first time in his life. Maybe she should feel sorry for him, but she didn’t.
“The defendant, Stanley Beaton, will now approach the bench,” the judge said formally. He watched as Stanley took another few seconds before doing as requested.
“Mr. Beaton, you are charged with multiple misdemeanors. You are charged with disorderly conduct, trespassing in your ex-wife’s apartment without permission, engaging in violent behavior, and assault to Chadwin Anderson.”
Toni shifted uneasily in her seat. She’d faced some of the same charges, which she still regretted. But she didn’t feel like the same person who had returned to her hometown a month ago. She was no longer insecure, even though she needed to find a new place to live and a job. She no longer cowered when someone around her raised their voice. Her future held a lot of uncertainties, but she now felt she could handle them. Thanks to Ethan and Chad and her father. Mostly thanks to Chad.
She glanced at him, finding him studying her with a worried expression. Then she noticed the elastic bandage was gone from his arm and smiled in relief.
Judge Turner cleared his throat before continuing. “Do you understand the charges, Mr. Beaton?”
Stanley huffed, then grumbled, “Yes.”
“Good. Now what is your plea, Mr. Beaton? Not guilty. No contest. Guilty?” He looked intently at him. “I assume you know the differences.”
“I still believe…”
“Mr. Beaton, each and every one of the charges is correct. There were witnesses; evidence to the assault on Mr. Anderson’s person.”
Stanley looked back at Toni and she sucked in a breath, but forced herself not to flinch. Anger filled his expression. He faced the judge again. “What about her? She assaulted me.”
Did the corner of the judge’s mouth just twitch? Toni waited nervously.
“Sheriff Crampton tells me it was done in defense of Mr. Anderson.” The judge studied Stanley pointedly. “You understand that Reverend Thomas Thornton was also a witness.”
“He’s her father. Of course he would back her up.” He appeared to deflate again as he obviously remembered his own father didn’t have his back any longer. Still he explained, “She kicked me in the balls, your Honor.”
Toni sensed every man in the courtroom flinching in empathy. But Judge Turner simply said, “Good for her, bad for you. But that is beside the point here, Mr.
Beaton. Again I ask, what is your plea?”
It took Stanley several awkward seconds before he stated, “Guilty, your Honor.”
Toni breathed a sigh of relief and Chad reached over to squeeze her thigh. “It appears your ex has some backbone after all,” he said in a lowered voice.
“Because he’s dealing with this alone,” she countered, but couldn’t help feeling better.
Chad sat back and she noted how Ethan gave a slight grin. Was he thinking the two of them would eventually become a real couple? That they’d get married? Her heart pinched. He’d be wrong. Maybe they would continue some kind of relationship; bed buddies, and lovers. That’s all it could be, even if she might want more. She had to fully accept that Chad would be moving away. His work life wasn’t here any longer.
“You will pay a fine of $500 on each of the charges, for a total of $2000,” Judge Turner said in a blunt manner.
Toni blinked back to the moment. It was a pittance, considering the millions Stanley was worth. But it was something. The charges hadn’t just been dismissed.
“Fine,” Stanley agreed in annoyance.
“That’s not all, Mr. Beaton.” The judge looked sternly at him. “I could also sentence you to thirty days in jail. Instead I’m going to be lenient, although I doubt you deserve it. You are additionally sentenced to thirty days of community service.”
Here? Oh, God. Toni held still, worrying.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Stanley complained. “I don’t have time for such nonsense. I’m a busy man.”
“Well, you’re going to be busier. Unless you prefer to sit in jail for that same length of time?”
Stanley kept his mouth shut, which was a definite surprise.
“I will arrange to see to it that you can serve your community service in Denver. We’d all prefer you to leave town and not return.” The judge looked at Toni and Chad as well. “I’m sure you are aware that a restraining order has been filed. You are not to come anywhere near Ms. Thornton.”
“But I…”
“No buts about it, Mr. Beaton. You need to accept that your divorce is final; that she isn’t your wife, and that she’s not interested in being so ever again.” It was clear that the judge had been told about Stanley’s insistence that he wanted to take her back with him; ignore the divorce.
Toni watched Stanley steel his spine, sensed his anger. She still didn’t know why he wanted her back. And she didn’t care. It was his problem, not hers.
“Do we understand each other, Mr. Beaton? You will have nothing more to do with your ex-wife. And you will be leaving town today.” “Yes, your Honor,” Stanley grumbled. “I’ve decided I am no longer interested in trying to make things work with her.”
Toni felt free of him, really free of him for the first time. She slumped in relief, smiling.
“Good decision. Now, Alex, escort him out of my courtroom. Then make sure he leaves town as soon as he’s gathered up whatever he brought with him.”
She was still leaning back, taking it all in, when Alex walked toward them with Stanley.
Stanley stopped next to her and frowned down in what almost appeared to be hatred. “I don’t know what I was thinking, wanting you back. Clearly I’d been drinking too much. You never were a good wife to me.” He focused on Chad. “She’s not even good in bed.”
Chad stood immediately and started to move toward Stanley, but Ethan grabbed his arm to stop him.
Toni felt humiliated, especially with Ethan and Alex listening, probably the judge as well. Both the men around her appeared disgusted, not with her, but with Stanley. Her loser of an ex-husband.
In the next instant, she shot to her feet. She got right in Stanley’s face and was pleased when he actually took a step backward. He covered his privates. At last she had power over him, even if she didn’t want it. “You were the world’s worst husband. Everything was about you. I was just there to do whatever you wished.” She took a second and asked, “Why exactly did you come here?”
“It was a huge mistake that I’ll never make again. Believe me, you are not worth all you cost me in the divorce settlement.” He glowered back at Alex and the judge still at the bench. “Or the trouble you’ve caused me here.”
She eased back and glanced down where he continued to protect himself. She ignored his last comment and went back to the sex issue. “I might have been better in bed, if you’d been a decent man.” She met his wary eyes. “Or if you had more than a puny penis.”
Stanley snarled and moved toward her, but Alex grabbed his arm and pulled him away. “Let’s go. Now. You’re already going against the restraining order.”
Her ex-husband gritted his teeth, gave her a dismissive look, and stormed out of the courtroom. “Whore!”
Ethan chuckled behind her. But when she turned, she found Chad studying her, and he didn’t appear happy. He didn’t speak; certainly didn’t seem as amused as his father had been. Her stomach sank. She’d been too crude. He hadn’t expected her to defend herself. Well, the hell with him!
She spun away to speed out of the courtroom. Her first thought as she stepped into the hallway was that she really needed a drink.
Then she froze, horrified.
No! She didn’t. It was just being around Stanley. Drinking and letting her mind go numb had been easier for her to deal with him. She wasn’t an alcoholic. But alcohol had been her crutch and it never would be again. She all but ran, needing to get out of the building, needing to breathe fresh air.
“Toni, wait!” Chad called after her.
She didn’t even turn back toward him. He’d let her down, or maybe she’d come to expect too much from him. That wasn’t fair. He’d been good to her, especially considering that she’d basically attacked him in a fit of temper. Still, she needed to get away for now.
***
Chad sat in his office, but he couldn’t focus on anything. Except Toni. He’d come back here with his father after leaving the courthouse. His father had warned him to leave her alone and not go after her. She needed to process all that had happened. He’d also told Chad that he’d let her down after she’d defended herself to Beaton and not said a word of support. He’d hurt her with his silence.
He glanced at his monitor, at the client’s file that he was supposed to be working on today. The words were a blur, so he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He had to make sense of everything. She hadn’t been the only one upset by Beaton. He’d been livid when the bastard had called her a whore. His father had been right to stop him, or he would have laid into the man, probably been taken to jail for assault. Exactly what none of them needed. Still, the vile name rolled over and over in his mind. He longed to slam his fist into Beaton’s face.
Then he replayed her verbal attack on her ex-husband, puny penis. While Beaton had puffed up in fury, Chad’s father had chuckled. He hadn’t. He’d been stunned by what she’d said, caught off guard. He’d felt proud of her for finally defending herself against the man who’d made her life hell. Yet he’d just stood there, shocked, and uncertain what to say or do. Which was why she’d run from him. She hadn’t even hesitated to give him a chance to explain.
And she hadn’t come back to the office to finish the workday. Her car wasn’t even in the parking lot, so she wasn’t in her apartment, either. She’d gone somewhere. But where? He’d called her parents, her brother, even Ellen, who had become her friend. Nobody knew where she was. He couldn’t help worrying. He wanted to go looking for her, but his father continued to tell him to give her time and space. She’d been through a lot for a long time, including today. When she was ready, she’d be back. But he had an uneasy feeling about that. He worried that whatever had started between them might have taken a serious setback.
He opened his eyes and heaved a frustrated breath. He’d failed her, but he hadn’t meant to. Lord, he would never hurt her. She was precious to him. Truthfully, he was pretty sure that he loved her. He couldn’t tell her, though. No woman wanted to have
a man tell her he was “pretty sure” that he was in love with her. He might actually love her, but their past and his past complicated everything. She’d gone off with another man just when he was finally ready to start something with her. That had disappointed and angered him for years. He’d eventually decided to give marriage a chance with someone else, which had been a huge mistake. When Sandy had admitted to an abortion, it had crushed him. He couldn’t count on women; didn’t trust them.
Yet he knew that wasn’t true with Toni. They’d both gone through a lot in their failed marriages. He’d wanted to help her heal and put that horror behind her. In the process, she’d helped him as well. They’d become friends. More than that. They’d become lovers. Still, the relationship was so new, so fragile. He didn’t think she was ready to become really involved with another man. Besides, his life was a disaster at the moment. And even though he’d gotten over some of the bitterness from Sandy’s betrayal, he still guarded his heart. Toni deserved better than a man who couldn’t fully move on from his past.
His father was probably right about him giving her time to adjust to what had happened today. He figured she was mad at him at the moment for good reason. It was best to give her space right now. Hopefully, when she showed up again at either her apartment or the office, they could talk this issue out. Maybe he wasn’t ready to completely commit to a life-long relationship, including marriage, but he didn’t want to lose her. Not again. He just needed more time to work through his issues and let go of his pain.
“Mr. Anderson,” Debi, their temporary secretary, said from his doorway. “I forgot to give you your messages when you got here an hour ago. Some of the people have called repeatedly.” The mid-thirties woman, already graying, walked to his desk and handed him the imposing stack of pink phone messages. Her thin lips pursed in annoyance. “What am I supposed to do about all the copies Ms. Thornton was supposed to make today?”