She grinned. “Thank you for not giving up on her. And I want you to know that she admitted to me that she picked that fight with Chaney so the girl would separate herself from us. Justus felt Chaney would be better off if she weren’t around us if someone were out there trying to stop her from testifying. At least it would make it harder for them to get at both girls.”
“That explains her behavior,” Rafferty said. “I knew there had to be something up with that. The girls appeared to be too close for them to have a falling out so easily.”
Liberty nodded. “I tried to get her to call Chaney, but she refused saying it was too soon. Have you by chance spoken to your brother? I am worried about her.”
“Afraid not. I didn’t want to disturb them as they settled into their new routine,” he explained. “I know Rawlins will check in soon enough and I’ll be able to get an update then. The adage no news is good news and all.”
“I see.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure they are doing fine.”
Liberty wrinkled her nose as she considered this as if she wasn’t totally satisfied with the explanation. “I hope you’re right.”
CHAPTER 3
Justus enteredDr. Saunders's office, pressed the button, letting her know she'd arrived, and sat in the small waiting area. A few moments later, the door to her office opened, and Justus went inside. She settled in the comfy oversized chair and hugged the soft pillow to her chest as always during their sessions.
“How have you been since you were last here?” Dr. Saunders asked, opening her little notebook and writing today's date on a new page.
“Yesterday, after we finished the deposition– and the prosecutor was a real prick– two men got on the elevator and threatened to throw acid in our faces.”
“Good Heavens! Were either of you hurt?”
“No.”Justus swallowed and took a breath. “Hank Patterson had arranged for us to have Brotherhood Protection.” She clenched her fists and released them by her side, shaking her head. “Can you imagine our surprise when these two guys we didn’t even know had been watching over us stepped in to protect us from these thugs.”
“Lucky for you that they were,”Dr. Saunders interjected.
“I suppose.”
“What does that mean?”
“Ican't get over the fact that Liberty went behind my back and talked with these two protectors and set this up with them, letting them know where Chaney and I would be without our being the wiser,” Justus said. The pulse at her temple throbbed and her throat felt dry. She really wanted to scream the more she thought about it all.
“They felt we were unsafe going to and from the deposition and needed protection. Or they wouldn't have been there. And when I confronted Liberty about it, she admitted these guys may have been secretly following us for days without us being aware,” Justus said. “Days. Can you imagine how you’d feel if you found this out?”
“I see. You would rather the Brotherhood not be looking out for you, and these men who threatened you have succeeded in their attacks?”
“No!” Justus exclaimed.
Dr. Saunders frowned. “Then I'm confused. Because that’s what it sounds like to me. You can't have it both ways. You can't have protection when it suits you, Justus. Hank Patterson has arranged this detail for you and Chaney for a reason. He felt you needed it, and after what has happened, I'd say he was right.”
Justus was silent. Was she being unreasonable feeling the way she did? Couldn’t Dr. Saunders see her point?
“Other than this. How have things gone?”Dr. Saunders prompted.
“I thought I was doing well other than the continued nightmares. I know you told me they would eventually go away, but I wish that time would come already.”
“Patience. It's been less than six weeks since this all happened. You can't expect life to return to normal in a blink of an eye.”
Justus nodded.
“Did the deposition yesterday affect your nightmare last night?”Dr. Saunders inquired.
Justus groaned. “I still had one.”
“But it didn't make it worse?”
“Not really. Even though I thought it would, I've been so upset finding out that even though we were honest at the deposition, our words might haunt us at trial. What justice is there in that?”She hugged the cushion tightly.
