We stay like this, my head resting against hers for a few long minutes. As we do, my heart starts to find its staccato and my strength begins to build.
I meant what I said—it’ll be okay. I just have to have faith. Otherwise, there’s nothing to fight for.
Who knew I just needed a horse hug to feel like the world isn’t ending?
twenty-nine
Killian
“Killian Thorn?” The U.S. Marshal calls from outside the holding cell as I’m waiting to be arraigned.
I come forward, and he extricates me, cuffing my wrists and ankles. “Too tight?” he asks.
“No, it’s fine.”
None of this is fine, but it is what it is. I spent the last two days in the police department, waiting for today. Hopefully I’ll find out what the hell is going on and they’ll grant me bail so I can return home to wait for the trial.
“All right, let’s go.”
I walk with him through a back hallway and into the courtroom.
The judge is sitting there behind the bench, and the Marshal points to where I have to go—beside a man in a dark gray suit.
“Your honor, I’m David Turner, standing in for Anthony DeCarolis who is representing Mr. Thorn. I was unable to meet Mr. DeCarolis’s client prior to today’s arraignment, so I would like to ask the courts for permission to speak to the client before we begin.”
The judge looks irritated, but he nods once. “Clerk, pass the case, and we’ll recall in five minutes. Deputy, bring them to the back room until we’re ready.”
The deputy grabs my elbow and brings me and my new lawyer I didn’t know I had into the interview room.
“Can you please uncuff him?” my lawyer asks.
“Sure.”
Once the deputy leaves us alone, David turns to me. “Anthony DeCarolis was hired by Brynlee and Crew Knight to represent you. He wasn’t able to get here in time for court today, so he called me, and I came immediately. We’re going to ask the judge not to arraign you until he gets here tomorrow.”
“So I have to spend another night in jail?”
“Yes, but honestly, based on the charges, I’m going to assume the government will ask for you to be held. Right now, I need to know if you spoke with any agents and what was said.”
I run through what I remember and what I said. “I don’t understand any of this. I’ve gone through it all for the last forty-eight hours, and I know it involves Travis somehow, but I don’t know how to prove it. Also, the last thing the agent showed me before he left was a photo of my business partner in Boston. None of it adds up. He and Travis met maybe two times in the years I’ve had the farm.”
“So you’re telling me you aren’t involved in running a money-laundering operation for an organized crime ring by buying and selling horses with dirty money?”
What? Jesus Christ. This just keeps getting worse and worse.
“Of course not. I have nothing to do with it. I’ve never met any of these people. I don’t even know someone in a fucking crime ring. Travis is the one who went to the auctions and set up the private buyers. So much of the paperwork we found recently that has my signature on it was either forged or I didn’t know,maybe I did sign it, sometimes Travis would just bring papers in and I would sign.”
“Anthony will be able to help with all of that, but for now, I just want to get you another day before we enter a plea.”
“I swear to you, I had no part in any of it.”
“That’s what they all say, but I believe you. You have one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the country.”
Before we can continue on, the U.S. Marshal reappears, cuffs me again, and we all head out to stand before the judge.
Only this time, the room isn’t empty.
There, standing in the front row, is Tessa. Her long, brown hair is pulled to the side, but it’s the worry in her eyes that has my heart ready to break.
