Chapter 84 Jess Protection
eighty-four
Jess: Protection
“There’s still the question of who killed Lieutenant Stephens. The shots were too close together to determine who shot whom and when.” The lawyers in front of me are arguing. Behind me, Michael’s family stares daggers into the back of my head. I don’t have the courage to turn around and face them.
I’m not testifying this time. My lawyer didn’t think it was a good idea, and I agreed with him.
“I’m just saying, it's unlikely that Staff Sergeant Ricks, wounded as he was, could have made the fatal shot.”
I swallow a sob that threatens to break me.
I've gone through that night a thousand times, wondering what I could have changed—not gone home, left the gun in the safe, called the police as soon as Michael walked in.
None of that compares to the choice I made when I saw Michael's hesitation, when his grip loosened on the gun, and I twisted it around and pulled the trigger.
“Staff Sergeant Ricks was an experienced combat soldier; in an intense situation like that, his training would have kicked in.”
“Fingerprints from all three were on the one weapon in the room, and since Ms. Roberts is the one person who wasn't injured and because she's pleading the fifth, I think it's just as likely…”
It's better this way.
I didn’t understand why Jacob had taken the gun from me when I knelt beside him, but I know now. He was dying, bleeding to death on my bedroom floor, but he was still protecting me.
“You cannot use Ms. Roberts' refusal to make a statement as evidence against her," the judge reminds them. She’s a tall woman, an ex-soldier, with a serious face and a reputation for doing everything by the book. “Ms. Roberts obviously felt threatened. Lieutenant Stephens shot Sergeant Ricks with the intent to kill. Everything else is irrelevant. It’s a simple case of self-defense. I’m dismissing all charges.”
I'm stunned. I was prepared for the worst—to go to jail. In no realm of possibility had I considered that the judge would throw the case out.
Behind me, Sylvia is sobbing, Michael's sisters are too. I want to turn and tell them I’m sorry, but my lawyer told me not to talk to any of them, especially not to express any kind of guilt.
As everyone stands, I find the courage to look behind me.
Kelsey gives me a dark look before she puts her arm around her mother and walks out. I turn away.
“How is Jacob?” I look up. Karen is waiting for me.
“Getting stronger every day.” It's my canned answer, one I hope is true. It’s been a long and painful recovery. "He wanted to be here, but he doesn't remember anything from that night, and he’s still not talking very well. It all felt like too much to put him through that."
She nods. “I’m glad he’s doing better. I hear congratulations are in order. When is the big day?”
I twist the ring on my left hand. “He said he doesn’t want to do it until he can stand with me at the altar. I’m pushing for sooner.”
Karen looks around, but the rest of her family is gone. “I’m glad for the way things turned out today, and I’m sorry again—for everything you’ve been through.”
“I’m sorry too.” The words feel hollow. Nothing I could say can express how sorry I am—for everything.
She nods as if she feels the same way and walks out.