“On the charge of administering a substance with intent to commit sexual offences, how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty.”
Air left my lungs in a rush.
“On the charge of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation, how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty.”
“On the charge of controlling a child prostitute or a child involved in pornography, how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty.”
“On the charge of causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography, how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty.”
“On the charge of possession of indecent photographs of children, how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty.”
“On the charge of abuse of position of trust, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty.”
“On the charge of sexual assault on a child, how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty.”
A sob erupted in front of me, and in front I saw a woman fell against a man, who I assumed was her husband. She must have been one of the women my father had abused.
We’d done it.
Guilty on all charges.
The jury believed us. They believedme.
Chapter 19
Oakley
“Istill can’t believe it,” I said, walking hand in hand with Cole towards his house.
Yesterday, after the guilty verdict, I’d gone home to Ali’s and spent a rather solemn couple hours with Mum, Jasper, Cole, Ali, and Lizzie. It then took Jasper declaring it all ‘total bullshit’ before we admitted it was. So, we decided not to mope around, wondering how we should act. Miles took Mum out for a quiet dinner, Jasper and Lizzie went out with friends, Ali invited over her book club – wine club – and Cole took me back to his house.
We’d laid in his bed, laughing, play-fighting, and watching a John Wick movie. It was exactly what I’d needed.
My heart was a little freer today.
One down…
“You should believe it. He’s going down and you’re the one who did it. I’m so proud of you.”
“Right. The other people who testified, the cops who investigated, and the lawyers who brought it to trial were just piggybacking.”
He laughed. “They should be ashamed.”
I swung his arm as we headed up the path to his front door.We’d walked to the café for a late breakfast since it was such a beautiful day. I was now full of pancakes and bacon and relief.
