Tears well up fast in my eyes and I think I could collapse from relief. Releasing my breath from my self-inflicted chokehold, I lean over to Kim and hug her tight.
“However, I find that thereissufficient probable cause to continue with criminal charges against Mr. Ekhart, Mr. Francis, and Miss Fillmore based on the evidence and testimony presented. The cases against these individuals will continue in further legal proceedings. Court is adjourned.”
Horatio then pulls me into a hug as I cry against his wool suit coat. “Congratulations, Cora.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, pulling away and standing to meet Anthony for a hug, too.
“You’re welcome,” Anthony says, patting me on the back gently. “Now go take the rest of the day off and try to calm your nerves.”
When I pull away, he hands me a clean tissue from a pouch in his pocket. I take it and dab at the happy tears. “Thank you all,” I say, then turning to face Horatio and Kim again. “You seriously saved me and my company. I can’t thank you enough.”
“You’re very welcome, Cora,” Kim smiles as she packs up her briefcase. “Call us anytime.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope I never have to see you again.”
Anthony and Kim both laugh as we make our way behind the crowd of people exiting the courtroom. Marco and Jay are waiting for me in their now empty row as everyone has filed out. I can’t hold it back anymore. I leap into Jay’s arms squeezing him fiercely as Marco latches on too. And there it is: the cherry on top of the sundae. The real relief.
“You did it, boss,” Jay whispers into my hair.
“You fuckin’ did it!” Marco echoes.
Quickly pushing away from them, I slide my hands down my thighs over my black dress and clear my throat. I still desperately want to continue this embrace, but we need to leave and I still want to present myself as professional. Unable to hide my joy, I bite my bottom lip and nod. “Let’s get out of here.” They nudge me along as we enter the main courthouse hallway, trailing me like a couple of well-dressed bodyguards.
I can’t say that I hate it.
All at once, several people gather around me and I’m surprised to see David from Valley Forge Construction, Sierra from GreenGrowth Urban Planning, and another black woman I can’t immediately place but looks familiar.
“What are you two doing here? Were you in there?”
David places his hand on my shoulder and smiles, his bald head gleaming under the fluorescent lighting. “Of course. We wanted to be here to support you. What you went through is not easy, but we wanted to let you know we’re here to fight for you, too.”
Before I can think better of it, I push myself forward and hug him. “Thank you. It means so much.”
Sierra smiles. “Your wins are our wins,” she says, leaning in to hug me as well. “You’ve shown up for us, so this is the least we can do for you.”
I give her a genuine smile. “You really didn’t have to… but I appreciate it nonetheless.” Then I turn to see the other woman, and it finally clicks. She’s the journalist I worked with a couple years ago with Architectural Digest.
“Jazmyn, what are you doing here?”
“I had to see this for myself. I’d love to write an editorial on this, on you, if that’s okay.”
I hesitate. “I don’t know, Jaz. I should probably ask…”
“Hi. Jay Bishop. Director of HR.” Jay jumps in, handing her his business card. “Email me and Cora the details on the piece you want to write, and we’ll review it with our leadership.”
“Of course. You’ll have it by tomorrow morning.”
“Now, if you’ll all excuse us, we have something we need to attend to.” Jazmyn, David, and Sierra step away as the guys usher me through the historic building until we’re approaching Jay’s SUV in the parking deck, my high heels clicking along.
“What do you need to attend to?”
“You.”
Chapter 24
The Ritz
Cora
