Thorns of the Past

by Gun Brooke

  “Order! I will have the bailiff evacuate the courtroom if there’s any more of this.” The judge bellowed her threat from behind his desk, half standing. It seemed to sober the audience, and they took their seats, quietening. “Well, now. This is not a performance or a circus. I’ll have you remember that.”

  Sabrina was still standing, looking back and forth between her parents, Daniel, and Darcy. She wasn’t sure what was going on with Glenda and Ian, but it seemed, on the surface at least, that they had done some rare soul-searching.

  “Anything more you would like to add, Ms. Hawk?” the judge asked, her voice now milder.

  “No, Your Honor. Thank you.” Sabrina returned to her seat.

  “All right. I’m ready to deliver the sentences.”

  The three defendants and their attorneys stood as the judge kept talking.

  Sabrina took Darcy’s hand again and raised it to her lips. Slowly she placed a kiss on the back of the strong hand that could touch Sabrina so tenderly and create such magic when they made love.

  The judge was still talking to each of the defendants, but Sabrina wasn’t paying much attention. She supposed she should care more about their sentences, but she had said her peace and it was time to let go. Everything was out of her hands, and she felt liberated, knowing she couldn’t do anything else at this point. The deeds of the three men were behind her, and she was ready to love and care for Darcy for the rest of her life. Darcy smiled, her eyes reflecting Sabrina’s emotions.

  The judge’s voice broke through Sabrina’s thoughts, redirecting her attention to the sentencing. Apparently, Patrick and Charles had received theirs. Charles looked pale and somber, while Patrick was wiping at a flood of tears.

  “Mark D’Angelo,” the judge said. “I have rarely come across someone as callous and self-righteous as you. Normally, looking at defendants from the bench, I can detect some redeeming qualities, something that makes me think this person has a chance to find a new and honest path in life. Mr. D’Angelo, I am hard pressed to do so in your case. You have not shown any remorse for any of the serious crimes you are convicted of, merely held a self-pitying expression ever since it dawned on you that your days of freedom are over. I have no problem sentencing you as follows to keep the public safe, and to restore at least some peace of mind to your victims.” The judge paused and glanced at her notes. “For sexual assault in the second degree, ten years without parole. For stalking, five years without parole. For kidnapping and aggravated assault, thirty years without parole. You will serve these sentences consecutively.”

  Sabrina slumped against the backrest. Perhaps she had needed to hear some of the sentencing anyway, as she now felt entirely drained from sheer relief.

  “Now you know that everyone who matters believes the truth, Sabrina.” Darcy pressed her lips to Sabrina’s cheek. “Finally, justice. For both of us.”

  “Yes,” Sabrina said, smiling through tears as she experienced an overpowering sense of relief, but reveling even more in the presence of the woman she loved. “Finally.”

  About the Author

  Gun Brooke resides in the countryside in Sweden with her very patient family. A retired neonatal intensive care nurse, she now writes full-time, only rarely taking a break to create websites for herself or others and to do computer graphics. Gun writes both romances and sci-fi.

  Web site: http://www.gbrooke-fiction.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gunbach

  Twitter: http://twitter.com/redheadgrrl1960

  Tumblr: http://gunbrooke.tumblr.com/

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