What in the world is going on?
The old, wooden door creaks open. Sneaking a peek, I do a double take.
Jasper?
Based on the rumpled appearance of his suit, he came straight from the airport. My eyes track his. They scan the courtroom, looking for a seat. When he spots me, he winks at me and I can breathe.
No matter what happens now, I’m going to be okay.
The judge peers up over her glasses.
“Have you had a chance to review this yet, Mr. Taylor?”
“I…” Eric’s attorney stutters, consulting with the man who looks white as a ghost.
Rebecca shoots me a quick look, and while things appear to be favoring me, I have no idea what is going on.
“We need more time to review the evidence presented.” He clears his throat and straightens.
“It appears you do, as it looks like Miss Rose is not the only person who your client has stolen from.”
“What?” I gasp, covering my mouth.
There’s no way I heard her correctly. I’m not the only person he stole from? There were others? Rebecca said I was the only one.
“Our forensic accountant was able to uncover the accounts to which Mr. Powers was laundering his money to.”
Oh my God. I can’t believe they found it.
“In doing so, he uncovered several other accounts that he stole from. While we are still working to determine who they are, there is clear evidence that he stole from Miss Rose.”
I turn, eyes finding Claire and then Jasper. A huge grin sits on his face.
“In light of this new evidence, court will be adjourned and the bailiff will take Mr. Powers into custody pending a new trial on the counts of embezzlement and wire fraud.”
She raps her gavel before ordering everyone to rise.
“I’m being framed!” Eric shouts as he’s put into handcuffs. “I didn’t do this.”
The sight of him being led away in cuffs, shouting that he’s being wronged, might be the best thing I’ll see all year.
“When did you find this?” I ask Rebecca, wrapping her in a hug. Tears well in my eyes as I try to keep it together.
“Last night. We were working down to the wire and he got it. It’s over, Quinn.”
“I can’t believe it. Is the money there?”
She waggles her head back and forth. “There’s a good chunk, but it’s hard to know whose is whose. It will take a while to unravel that thread, but you won.”
“Yeah, she did!” Claire squeezes me from behind.
“Holy shit!” I cover my mouth as the floodgates open.
I spin on my heel, and Jasper is there to sweep me into his arms.
“You’re here.”
“Where else would I be?”
