Chapter 28 Final Decision Point #4
“Alright,” he said and answered the phone.
Keith opened his bottle of mountain dew and guzzled about half before replacing the lid while Brick spoke.
“Alright,” he said. “We’ll be there. Are you sure you want to do this?
” He listened some more as Keith perked up.
He looked closely at the phone as Brick finally ended the call.
“We’ve got your back. You can count on us. See you bright and early.”
“I recognized that voice,” Keith said. “Who is that?”
“Someone you know well, since you got her out, she wants to give her testimony, but she’s scared that the DA’s office is wired.”
“Who is that woman?” Keith wondered aloud.
“Kelly Sutton,” Brick said casually. Keith’s jaw dropped and so did his mountain dew. Fortunately the plastic bottle just bounced around on the floor for a moment.
“Kelly?” he said aghast. “Who is she testifying for?”
“US!” Brick said triumphantly. “We’ve got a witness who places the boy’s calling in before they get back.” He slapped Keith on the shoulder. “Come on, it’s pizza tonight at Marvin’s place. Erica already agreed to meet us there.” Keith looked down to find the bottle then picked it up.
“I can’t believe this. She’s really going to testify?” Keith just shook his head as he started walking out with Brick. “This is unbelievable. I don’t know where she found the courage.”
“She’s been living with Greg ever since we extracted her,” Keith said. “You’ve seen how people react when they’ve been around him for any length of time.”
“Yeah, I gotta admit, there’s something about Greg that just gets to you. I can’t quantify it, but you always feel like he’s going to be there when the chips are down, and he’s going to pick you up when you fall.”
“Greg,” Kelly said softly as he and Veronica returned from the day’s testimony. “Could I speak with you for a moment?”
“Sure, Kelly. Is this something serious?” he asked looking at her face.
“I have something that’s been bothering me since you got me out. You did so much for me, and I really need to talk about this,” Kelly jumbled through quickly.
“Hold on. Slow down. Why don’t we go into my office for a private conversation. Dear, would you tell the girls we’ll need a few minutes?”
“Of course, my love.” Veronica moved on into the living room as Greg and Kelly headed into the office. “Katie, come with me please. We need to give them some privacy.”
“Sure, V,” Katie said and followed her into the kitchen.
“Girls, Greg and Kelly are going to need a few minutes before we eat. Please keep the meal warm,” Veronica instructed.
“Of course Miss V,” Genevieve said.
“It does smell really good in here, is that,,” she started toward the stove, “beef stew and a garlic bread?”
“You have a keen nose, Miss V,” Jill said. “I’m working on a new recipe.”
“I can’t wait to try it,” Katie eagerly offered.
Greg and Kelly headed into his office, with Kelly entering first. Greg closed the door behind him and motioned for Kelly to take a seat.
He sat down in his office chair then spun towards her.
He looked her over, noticing that she was troubled.
He gently placed his left hand on her right knee.
“Kelly, I’m not sure what’s troubling you, but I’m here to help in any way that I can. ”
“I know,” she muttered out. “That’s why my conscience is bothering me so much.”
“Please, you should feel safe, not scared. How can I help you?”
“I’m not scared, in the normal sense of things,” Kelly started. “I’m worried about a decision I have to make.”
“What decision are you thinking about that has you so worried?” Greg asked.
“I know that Jason and Philip are going to use Robere to cover for them on the night of the attack. But I was there when they called in about Millard dying and them bringing back wounded,” she let out then started crying.
Greg didn’t hesitate. He moved over and held her close, gently caressing her back and soothing her with a soft steady voice.
“You are safe. I won’t let anything happen to you here,” he assured her softly.
“I know, Greg. I just can’t stay silent,” she sobbed softly. “I can’t. Not anymore. You rescued us, and we owe you.”
“You owe me nothing, Kelly. I owed your husband a debt that I’m happy to repay by hosting you here as long as you want.”
“That’s exactly why I have to speak up now. If I don’t, I’ll dishonor his memory.” She looked up. “Jacob was so proud of me when I became your PA.”
“That was a very long time ago,” Greg remembered. “Just before we found Janet.”
“I got scared after he died on that plane,” she said catching her breath. She looked Greg in the eyes. “I have to testify, but I need the courage that you have.”
“I’m the man I am today because of the people around me,” Greg somberly admitted. “They give me strength.”
“No, Greg. There’s something more to you.
Something deeper. I can see it, but I can’t tell you what it is.
You have something that drives you even when you are down.
I saw it that night at Club Euchre. That first dance you had with Veronica.
There was this spark that came back to your eyes.
They danced with brilliant reflections of the man you are inside. ”
“That’s funny,” Greg said as he sat up straight then ran his hand through his hair. “I was just thinking about that dance, and then I thought about my dad. I haven’t thought about this for years.” He paused. “At least not purposely.”
“Tell me about this, please,” Kelly implored.
“You know, Kelly, I’ve buried this for so long, and now, I’m overwhelmed just thinking about this.
I still remember walking in on the basketball practice and being challenged to prove my worth for that team.
My dad’s voice kept echoing in my ears, don’t worry if you miss Greg, just take the shot. You’ve got this.”
“You heard his voice?” she said softly. “Where was he?” she asked curiously. “Was he a teacher in your school?”
“No, Kelly. He’d died months earlier.” Greg’s eyes misted up.
“He was right here,” he said pointing to his heart.
“And here,” he said pointing to his head.
“In that moment, he was still with me. I pictured it in my mind. Standing there on that driveway as he handed me the ball.” He took a deep breath.
“He smiled at me, and then said something I’ll never forget.
” He sniffed then continued. “He said to me, ‘Greg, it doesn’t matter if you miss the shot or not. It only matters that you have the guts to take the shot. Life’s going to hit you hard, just like this game will.
You’re going to miss shots, and you’re going to make shots.
It doesn't matter how many shots you miss so long as you don’t stop trying.
Get back up and get in the game. Keep moving forward, and ignore those doubts you have.
Trust your instincts, and your body will follow through.
When you do that, son, you’re going to watch the most beautiful arc that ball can make, right down to the bottom of the net.
You just need to believe in yourself the way I believe in you.
I’ve taught you the skills on the court, but they are going to help you later on in life.
I know you’ll understand this when you get older, but for now, just trust me when I tell you, Greg Garrelson, I’m proud of you and you’ve got this.
Take your shot and don’t ever look back.
’ It was so profound and all this time, it’s still with me. ”
“That’s something else,” Kelly said. “I understand now what drives you.” She smiled. “You are just being like him.”
“I guess I am,” he acknowledged. “I never noticed that before,” he said as his voice drifted off. “He taught me how to be a man by teaching me how to play basketball.” He stroked his chin. “Such simple genius.”
“He must have been an extraordinary father,” Kelly said smiling. “Just look how you turned out, even without him there every day. He never left you.”
“Yeah,” Greg mused. “He’s been here the whole time. Who knew,” he said with a sudden realization. “That’s why I’ve been feeling incomplete. I’d forgotten him.”
“Well, now I know what I have to do, and I have the courage to do it because I KNOW that you will be there to catch me if I fall. Give me the phone, I need to call Brick and tell him I’m going to testify and stop Robere from getting those boys out of trouble yet again. ” She dialed the number to call Brick.
The next morning, Brick and Keith were there as promised.
They escorted her to the courthouse and watched as she was called to rebut the testimony of Robere.
Kelly nearly buckled under the pressure until she saw Greg and Veronica sitting there with Katie, Cassie, Carry and Billy.
Then she turned to the judge and asked him to instruct the lawyer to “Shut his trap and let ME answer the question. It’s not a Yes or No.
You NEED to hear the WHOLE TRUTH, not his machinations or fabrications.
You NEED to hear what REALLY HAPPENED. I WAS THERE, that asshole wasn’t and he needs to shut his fat mouth so I can tell these people how that man lied on the witness stand!
Jason and Philip voluntarily went with Millard to Assassinate Greg Garrelson, Carry Mitchelson and Cassie Easthaus.
THEY are the ones that were marked for death.
Millard had his orders and those boys right there jumped at the opportunity for payback on Greg.
And when they called on the return trip, Jason was the one who said that Millard was dead and they had wounded with them.
There’s a recording of that call in the Manor. ”
“If that’s true, then I ask that you produce it here and now,” the lawyer challenged.
“Give me a laptop and three minutes, and I’ll play the whole thing right here in this courtroom,” Kelly said fiercely. The whole courtroom gasped. The judge banged his gavel.
“Bailiff, bring Miss Sutton a laptop and we’ll see if this is the truth.”
“I object your Honor,,,” the lawyer started.