Chapter 25
Elijah
On the way home,I paid close attention to the side streets, knowing that Morgan was out there, watching. I made sure I kept my cool to not let Dawn know. I was afraid she would panic after such a greatday.
It was the best day I could askfor.
My dad and brother, of course, had to bombard me with questions as they could see Dawn and I were getting closer. Dad wanted to know my plans for the future, and I gladly told him that I wanted to make Dawn my wife but knew it wasn’t the right timeyet.
We had everything put away and Lizzy in bed shortly before the news came on. I had taken to watching it nightly, sometimes even in the mornings, to keep up to date with what they’d found out about the brothel that was taken down. I had to make sure our names were kept out, since I didn’t want to be tied to it in any way—at least, not yet. There were still a few men around who needed to becaught.
Dawn and I were on the couch covered by the soft blanket she’d made me. The baby monitor was set up on the side table so we could hearLizzy if she wokeup.
"New tonight is the upcoming trial of Galvin Holt, the leader of the brothel recently taken down in Seattle. He was taken into custody November 1stat a client’s home where he was trying to sell a girl for her services. We have yet to get a name ofthe client, who is under FBI protection to bring this mafia family down. The girl in question has notbeenidentified, although a number of other women have stepped forward against Galvin and his workings,” the newscaster said. The TV was filled with random pictures of Galvin, a few of his men, and a few other women who had been sold. I hadn’t seen any of the women, but they were all placed around the states in protectiveservices.
“The Bench Trial is set to start January 5th, at nine a.m. We have not been able to talk to Galvin himself, as he is requesting that no one comes to interview him until his lawyer is able to be present,” he concluded before they went to another story about the current train derailment in Colorado that was spilling oil into the Plattriver.
The same story was on the rest of the week, with no new information. I wasn’t taking chances and kept Dawn and Lizzy home most of the time. Dawn didn’t ask why, so I didn’t say anything, although she was smart, so she probably knew my reasoning without me having to sayanything.
Kaleb and I were some of the last to arrive at the courthouse a month later. A few news crews were poised and ready to shoot pictures of anything and everything they possibly could about thecase.
We stayed quiet as we entered the courtroom, filled with a number of people. No one spared us a glance as we took our seats up near the front of the room. The people were talking among themselves, too quiet for me to really hear anything. I wore a beanie over my hair so I wasn’t too recognizable. I also hadn’t shaved for a fewdays.
“Any luck on getting the judge to talk to you?” I asked. Kaleb had wanted an idea on what to expect during this trial, since Morgan had many charges against him and was stillmissing.
“No. I don’t think he even knows yet for sure,” Kaleb replied as the guards came in, telling everyone to rise as the judgeentered.
“You may take your seats,” Judge Garrett Johnsville spoke as he took his own at the high podium. His sandy hair was pulled back so it wasn’t in his face as he took his time looking over the papers lying on hisdesk.
In the front row of the pews sat Galvin in orange scrubs next to his lawyer, who wore a nice suit. It was strange seeing Galvin in something other than his normalattire.
"Seattle County District Zone three, The Honorable Judge Garrett Johnsville will be hearing the testimony here today to determine the verdicts for Galvin Holt in the first Human Trafficking jury trial in this district,” said the bailiff in a boredtone.
From here, I could see Galvin giving the judge a displeased look that said more than any words possiblycould.
Galvin’s lawyer, who had greased back hair, a very pale face, and seemed to be coming down from a high, began with a strong voice. “You are here today because of charges of alleged human and child trafficking, along with charges of assault and kidnapping. Is that correct, Mr.Holt?”
“Correct,” Galvin replied, keeping his eyes on theman.
Cory turned back to Galvin. “Mr. Holt, do you know any of the women in these photos?” He laid out a number of pictures on thetable.
Galvin considered for only a short moment before denying any knowledge ofthem.
“What do you plead against the charges after seeing those women?” Cory asked, removing thephotos.
“I am innocent. I only admit to selling and buying illegal drugs,” Galvinsaid.
“I’m done,” Cory said with a shrug as he made his way back to his seat. Galvin was not pleased by this, as he glared at theman.
“I bet he’ll turn up dead by the end of the week,” Kaleb mumbled to me. I couldn’t agreemore.
“Do we have any witnesses?” the judge askedcalmly.
“Not at this time, your honor,” answered the Assistant District Attorney as hestood.
“Mr. Jake White,” the judge said. “Child sex trafficking is a silent in all communities across our nation. The victims of human trafficking suffer long-lasting psychological and physical violence at the hands of theirtraffickers.”
Mr. White had tanned skin and dressed nicely. He was here on behalf of the women who didn’t want to face Galvin, as he had caused enoughpain.
