Chapter 68
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
Ryan is going to wear a hole in the hotel’s carpet.
We are in our suite waiting for my team to arrive, and my darling husband is ready to crawl out of his skin.
I get it, but this comes with the territory. As a federal agent, it is my obligation and duty to testify when called upon, even if it’s a case where the serial killer was stalking me for years unbeknownst to me.
My team still stopped him.
My team still took him off the streets.
And my team is going to do everything we can to put him away for the rest of his life.
I’ve followed the case as close as necessary, but not an ounce more than required.
Once Graham was declared competent enough to stand trial, things moved quickly—until Graham started dragging his feet at every turn.
It was a last-ditch effort for him to exert control over a situation where he is no longer calling the shots.
He fired his representation twice before the judge said if he did that again, they would be appointing counsel for him because he was doing it to stall the court and waste time.
He ensured his lawyers objected to everything—even things that were not necessary to object to, if only to draw out the process.
Until last week.
Last week, the upcoming witness list was released after the jury was finally selected, and I know that Graham saw my name. Ryan will likely be called next week, but I don’t think Graham cares about seeing Ryan, unless I am there as well.
Suddenly, there were minimal objections. The case moved forward three times the pace it had been crawling for months.
He saw my name—professionally listed as Special Agent Dr. Harlow Lane—and knew I was coming. But I don’t think he knows that I got married, and I hope he can’t tell I’m pregnant.
I run a hand over my lower stomach, cradling it.
Ryan pauses with a soft smile before he continues his pacing.
There’s a slight bump, but only if you know to look.
I did my homework and chose an outfit that was as concealing as possible because I have this innate need to shield my baby from this man.
We are ten weeks as of yesterday, but the urge to protect and keep them safe is intense.
I have so many things to look forward to, and putting this man and this case firmly in my rearview is definitely on that same list.
There have been a lot of changes in the last year, one of my favorites being The Brigade group chat that is currently blowing up.
Vivian
We’re all thinking of you today, Harlow. Let us know (or have someone let us know!) how today goes. We love you!!
Savannah
If you need anything, just let me know. I am going to drop a casserole in y’all’s fridge so whether you get home tonight or tomorrow, you’ll have food.
Jack
Keeping my phone on today in case anything comes up. Still think you should have let me send Daphne. She can be there from NYC on one of our jets in less than two hours.
Jack
Seriously, just say the word. It’s never a bad idea to have an attorney when federal court is involved.
Theo
They’ll be ok.
Cami
Not sending a jet, but I am sending only good vibes—good kick-ass, strong and capable vibes.
Tinsley
Today is one step closer to the peace and freedom you are so long overdue from this situation. We love you!
Finn
You’ve got this, Harlow!
A brisk knock at the door draws our attention. It’s a little early for my team members to arrive, but I know everyone is on edge.
Ryan checks the peephole and opens the door. It’s someone that has our back, but not in an official capacity. “What are you doing here?”
Liam walks in and waves to me before turning back to his brother. “I thought I’d be nice and show up. In case you needed a little extra support.”
"What am I, chopped liver?" Theo strides in behind Liam in a three-piece suit and warm smile. "When Savannah declared I was coming today, I immediately agreed. I hope you don't mind adding one more to your party, but I'm here to make sure no one fucks with our family."
“No, of course not. That’s really kind of you both to be here, I appreciate it. Thank you both,” I tell them as I start to get up from the couch.
“No, no, I mean, yes, always here to support you in any way as my sister, but I’m here for this guy.” He points his thumb at Ryan who rears back.
“Me? What? No, I’m fine. They don’t think I’ll be called until next week. I’m here for Harlow.”
Liam looks at me, and I give a small shrug.
“Yeah? Is that why you’ve been pacing the room since you got ready this morning? Or wait, did you stop for coffee too or just jump into pace mode?”
“He’s … not wrong,” I softly tell Ryan.
“I know that he’s never wrong. It’s really fucking annoying,” Ryan grumbles as he pulls his brother into a hug. They clap each other’s backs before walking over and taking a seat in the living area—even Ryan finally sits.
“I’m here however you want or need me to be, okay?” Liam looks from me to Ryan, and I don’t miss the glance at my belly. I nod in appreciation and notice Ryan’s shoulders relax the smallest amount.
“Appreciate that, brother,” Ryan admits … before standing up and pacing again.
I wave in his direction. “It’s okay, it helps him feel like he’s doing something in a situation out of his control and gives his body something to focus on. He won’t be able to do that in the courtroom, so he should try to get it out of his system.”
“We don’t even know if I’ll be allowed in the courtroom while you testify, Lo.”
I look to Liam and Theo. “I think he will be. Don’t you guys? At least during my testimony. He’s my husband, and it’s not closed, it’s just very popular, so seating is limited.”
“Yeah, we’ll be fine,” Liam says as Theo nods in agreement.
“What do you mean?” I ask, because with Liam, that could quite literally mean anything.
“I made a call. There will be a seat for each of your team members, your spouse, legal counsel, and me during your testimony.”
“I don’t understand your connections and reach, but I am sure glad we’re on the same team, Liam.
” My friend is an interesting complex blend of direct yet evasive, and the right balance of appearing aloof without missing a single thing.
From what his sisters have told me, and what I know personally, I don’t think he’s ever been in a long-term relationship, but somehow, that makes sense for who he is and where he is in life currently.
But sometimes, I see the way he looks at his nieces and nephews, and it’s so obvious to me that this man wants a little nuclear family of his own.
He does a really good job of keeping his walls up, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t long for the day when his walls surround someone else.
I don’t push it, though. He knows he can come and talk to me if and when he’s ready to unpack any of that, not as a therapist, but just as family who wants the best for each other.
Like how he showed up for me and Ryan today. It’s easier for him to say he’s just here for Ryan, but he knows I’m stressed about this, and I’m carrying his niece or nephew, so he’s concerned for all of us.
But I’m not.
I’m not worried about today having a negative impact on me, quite the opposite.
I see today as one of the last days I ever have to be in the same room as that man, so the other side of today holds the beautiful truth that I am so close to freedom.
We just need to get through my testimony today, and then Ryan’s next week.
Walker, Kelly, Mason, and Tara arrive promptly at eight thirty, and we make a plan for moving through the crowds and media.
Liam and Walker will lead us through the crowds, and I will stay between Ryan and Theo, while Kelly, Mason, and Tara will have our six.
I tried to argue that I should be on the exterior instead of surrounded by civilians, but as if coordinated, the two Callahan brothers—along with Walker and Theo—glanced at my belly and all gave me a look that made it clear they weren’t going to agree with me.
To be honest, their concern was enough for me to agree with the plan.
The media is everywhere. As if the media attention wasn’t enough, Graham’s attorney gave an impassioned plea to the media for the truth of the case to come to light so Graham can be exonerated and set free.
I absolutely want the truth to come out—the truth of his DNA at the crime scenes, his admission on tape while being interrogated, and the truth of him abducting my then-fiancé and almost erasing him from my life.
Graham is being tried in The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston due to the majority of his crimes being in Massachusetts.
Ryan and I arrived yesterday and will leave as soon as we are told I am no longer needed in court, then we’ll fly back for his testimony.
I used to love Boston. I lived here for over a decade of my life throughout the pursuit of my degrees.
But it’s also where Graham and I first crossed paths, and he has tainted the city for me.
I won’t even allow myself to dwell in those feelings, though, because it would be something else he would have influence or control over.
I don’t want anything to do with the man in any context after this trial, and I’m allowed to have those boundaries.
But first—I have an asshole to help take down.
“Dr. Lane! Harlow, over here, Harlow!” The flashes of photography are blinding the second we walk out of the federal courthouse.
It’s a cold December afternoon, but the sharks are out for blood.
It’s overstimulating and slightly terrifying.
I have to fight the urge to cradle my stomach because I don’t want Graham to see that on the news.
“My client has no comment at this time,” Theo keeps repeating, but that doesn’t stop the questions.
“Let’s go, baby,” Ryan murmurs in my ear as he keeps his arm wrapped around me, so I’m tucked under his arm, firmly pressed into his side as Theo walks directly in front of us.
Liam is on my other side, while Walker and Tara lead us all through the crowded sidewalk to our vehicle, where Kelly is waiting with the rented SUV running.
Mason has my six and we navigate the crowds as the media hurls questions at me.
“Really? Come on, something, surely you have something to say, Harlow! That was a ninety-minute testimony!” someone yells and I look up, trying to figure out who said it. I take a deep breath, and as calmly as I can, I repeat the same thing I said on the way inside, “No comment.”
Ryan squeezes me a little tighter, and I let Theo take over, repeating the same line.
I have no comments for this monster, and I refuse to give him any more material to obsess over me. He tried to take too much already, but he, like so many other people over the years, underestimated my intelligence, my capability, and how damn stubborn I can be when someone hurts a person I love.
Although I do hope the courtroom sketch artist caught Graham’s face when he saw Ryan with me, and the wedding ring on my finger.
I thought he was going to pass out with how red his face got.
He had his attorney try to ask about my marital status, implying I had some bias, which thankfully, the prosecution objected relevance, and the judge agreed.
But when he saw Ryan’s wedding ring, Graham had to be taken out of the courtroom after that for not listening to the judge’s directions of being quiet and staying in his seat.
He waited for me to get there then got himself kicked out halfway through.
The following Tuesday, Graham didn’t even last ten minutes into Ryan’s testimony before he went irate and was once again removed from the courtroom.
I can’t assume what was going through his head, but I doubt hearing Ryan call me his wife three times within five minutes sat well with Graham.
When the trial wrapped, it took the jury less than a day to return with a verdict of guilty on all counts.
Six weeks later, The Carnation Killer was sentenced to multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. The victims and their loved ones received their justice, a dangerous killer was put away, and he will never be a free man.
And I finally achieved freedom from Graham Tremblay.