Only God knew what she had gone through the last ten years behind bars. I prayed that she was surviving. I knew this time had changed her, but I hoped she’d at least begun to heal.
Closing the file, I sat back and ran my hands down my face. I stood from the desk and left the office with the file in hand as I made my way to Erica’s office. She was clicking away on her keyboard when I walked in.
“Hey,” she said, looking up. “Did you read it?”
“I did.”
“What do you think?”
“She deserves to be free.”
“I agree. Reading over it had me looking at her mama sideways. How didn’t she know? I’d notice if my man were looking at my daughter. I’d notice the changes in her.”
“You’ve never met Kennedy Chambers.”
Her brows furrowed. “You have?”
I sighed as I took a seat and began explaining the nature of my relationship with Alayah and the things I’d seen and heard.
“You think Kennedy will come to the parole hearing?” I asked.
Erica shrugged. “I don’t know. She and his family have been notified. I know his people are coming. They are adamant about protesting Alayah’s release.” She shook her head. “I have to get her out, Killian. The justice system failed her. Her mother failed her. She was a victim, and they treated her like shit at that trial. I’m praying that this new judge will review everything and have mercy on her. She shouldn’t have had to do ten years, let alone thirty.”
I sighed. “I agree. I hate I can’t work with you to represent her. I’d have to recuse myself.”
“It’s fine. I’m just glad we’re on the same page.”
“I do want to go to the hearing though. I need to lay eyes on her.”
Erica smiled. “Maybe you can be a friend to her when she gets out. I saywhenbecause it’s going to happen, I don’t care what the victim’s family has to say. She’s been punished enough.”
I nodded in agreement. “When is court?”
“Next Tuesday. I’m going to give her the news today. Hopefully she’ll accept the date. She’s basically accepted her fate. With her aunt and uncle fighting for justice so long, she feels bad about all the time they have dedicated to her case. They are the only family she really has.”
“What about her sisters?”
“According to them, her mother hasn’t let them see or speak to her.”
I shook my head. I knew how much she loved her little sisters. They were her babies, and she cared for them as though they came from her.
“Damn. I knew that woman was a piece of work.” I stood from the chair. “Let me get out of here and refocus my energy. If I think about the shit too long, I’m gonna get mad all over again.”
“Sounds like you cared for her at one point.”
“I did. I’ve always regretted not asking her to be my girl when I had the chance.”
Erica smirked. “Well…there’s always second chances.”
I didn’t say anything as I stood and left the office. I didn’t know about a second chance here. A lot of time had passed. I wasn’t sure what kind of person Alayah had become. Prison had a way of changing people—hardening them. I hadn’t seen this woman in ten years. I hadn’t visited. I hadn’t written. As far as I knew, she wouldn’t want anything to do with me, and I couldn’t blame her.
Chapter 3
Alayah
Age Fifteen
“Rodney, please…”I begged in a whisper. “I don’t wanna dothis.”
