“How long did you have the gun?”
Ernie met him about twenty feet from the car and helped to form a barrier around Rachel.They had her in the car and speeding away from the courthouse in a matter of minutes while she silently wept.
“S-so it’s blown up into a b-big story while I was locked up,” she said.
“They’re always tuned in to the salacious stuff, but they’ll lose interest as soon as the facts become clear,” Julian said.
“By then, my name and my kids’ names will be forever tied to this.”
“Names can be changed.We’ll do everything we can to protect you and your kids.”
She wiped tears from her face.“No offense, because I know your intentions are good, but everything you could do wasn’t enough to keep him from finding us and breaking in with the intent to kill us rather than let us be happy without him.”
“You’re right.It wasn’t enough.I’m sorry that there wasn’t more I could do to keep you and your sons safe.”
“I’m not blaming you.I’m blaming a system that can’t stop stuff like this from happening.”
“It’s a valid complaint.Restraining orders are often not worth the paper they’re printed on.The restrained people know the cops can’t be everywhere, so they risk it.It’s a screwed-up system, but it’s the only one we’ve got.”
“It needs to be reformed before more people end up dead.”She looked over at him.“I didn’t want to kill him.”Her chin quivered.“That’s the last thing I wanted to do, but if it was a choice between him and my babies…”
“You did what you had to do to keep them safe.”
“I’ll never regret that.”
“I’m texting my contacts for an update.”
“I guess we can actually go home now,” she said, seeming to realize that for the first time.“How long will it take until my hands stop shaking?”
“Your nervous system has had a shock.It’ll take a minute to catch your breath.”
“Do you think I’ll go to prison?”
“I highly doubt it.He showed up with a knife and broke in.He had a restraining order, so it’s on the record that he was legally considered a threat to you.But your defense attorney is a better resource on those questions.”
“I won’t get Bryan’s life insurance now.”
“If it doesn’t go to you, it’ll probably go to the kids as his heirs.”
“Oh.I hadn’t considered that possibility.”
“I know it all seems horrible right now, and it is.It’s sad and tragic and infuriating and all the things, but you and your boys will get through this.I know you will.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Eight hoursafter Julian delivered Rachel to her home, he received word that her sons were back in her custody.Rachel’s sister texted him to let him know they were upset and tired but seemed to be doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances.
His day had been one shit show after another, with things blowing up for multiple clients at the same time.
Liam Rossi’s wife had “lost her shit” when he’d told her he wanted a divorce, and now he was rethinking leaving the marriage.I’m not sure I can do this to her,Liam had written in a text to Julian.
What about what you want for yourself?
How can I be happy knowing I’ve devastated her?
How can you be happy in a marriage where you’re competing with her late first love?
I don’t know what to do.
