Chapter 19 #3
“The homicide has come as a shock to locals, who have expressed how sweet and kind Mandy was. Police are stating it appears to have been a targeted attack, two men being arrested in the early hours of this morning as main suspects. Rodney Leroy and Dean Stone are both members of the Satan’s Soldiers gang, who have been feuding with the Bloody Psychos in recent weeks.
Mandy’s association with the Psychos has many wondering if this was revenge, or a message.
It has been confirmed today that Mandy was also the eye witness to Max Donovan’s murder in the pending Aurora Donovan trial, so police will be working hard to find out if there’s a connection there as well. The investigation will continue.”
“Did you hire a hitman?” Kat chuckled, eyeing me with amusement. “That bitch is the reason you’re in here, right?”
“I didn’t hire anyone,” I scoffed, but I knew it had to be someone on my side. Did Diesel go after her? Hunter? What did this mean for my case if the witness was gone?
“Looks like someone will be getting out soon,” Jamie grinned, patting my shoulder, but I wasn’t really sure how to react. Would it get me out? If they still had the murder weapon, what did that mean? Would I get out soon, or in weeks?
How would it feel to not see my girls every day like I was never here?
“You good?” Lexi murmured, tugging me back to talk in my ear so the others couldn’t hear.
“Yeah. I just don’t know what this means,” I replied softly, her teeth gently nibbling my earlobe.
“It means you’re about to get out, babe. You’d better come and visit me. Dammit, who do I fuck now?” she joked, but I knew she was worried about losing someone she trusted to have her back.
“Your hand, pervert,” I teased, playfully jabbing her in the ribs.
I didn’t have anyone visiting today, so when we weren’t working, I tried to study, but it was hard to concentrate. I wanted to call Hunter, but I couldn’t exactly ask if he’d had something to do with Mandy’s murder, so I avoided the phone.
It was Saturday, and none of the guys had mentioned Mandy’s murder yesterday when they’d called. Did it mean they had nothing to do with it, or they did and were avoiding suspicion?
I was going to go crazy thinking about it until I found out what the fuck was happening.
“Donovan. Come with me,” Miss Jarvis said sometime in the afternoon, and Lexi gave me a thumbs up as I followed, being taken to the warden’s office.
“Thank you, Miss Jarvis. You can wait in the hallway, this won’t take long,” the warden said with a sigh, motioning for me to take a seat. “Donovan, I spoke with your lawyer an hour ago. Your case has been dropped.”
“Dropped? Like, it’s just over?” I asked with surprise. “I don’t have to face a judge or anything?”
“It appears your witness was caught up in a homicide, and any other evidence has vanished,” she said dryly, leaning back in her chair. “You don’t know anything about that, do you?”
“I’ve been stuck in here, so it wasn’t me,” I scoffed, and she hummed.
“Your lawyer has been getting all the necessary paperwork processed, and if it all goes well without any hiccups, you’ll be out Monday.”
“Just like that? I can leave? What about the assault charge you put on me?”
“I know, we’ll be sad to see you go,” she chuckled, her face softening a fraction. “I’ve had that charge dropped too. I really hope you don’t take this second chance for granted. Keep studying, and stay out of trouble.”
“Yes, Warden,” I mumbled, a little dazed. I knew I could be getting out, but I thought it would take more time and I’d still have to deal with the judge.
“No fighting before you leave either, or I’ll make sure all your assault issues get put before a judge after all.
I know you’re a smart girl, Donovan, even if others don’t see it.
Prove them wrong and make something of yourself,” she said firmly, motioning to the door.
“You may go back to your pod. I’ll see you on Monday to make sure you get out okay. ”
I thanked her and left the room, Miss Jarvis escorting me back to the cell block before she walked off, and Tilly gave me a small smile when I entered her room.
“You’re getting out?” she asked, and I nodded.
“Monday. Will you be okay in here? Should I stab someone and stick around?” I joked, and she rolled her eyes.
“I’ll be okay. I survived before you arrived.”
“I’ll visit. You’d better come and see me when you get out too. I’ll add my number to your call list so you can let me know if you need picking up,” I promised, earning a wince.
“I’ve still got almost two years left.”
“And I’ll still come and get you,” I promised, dropping down beside her and slinging an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll make sure your commissary is topped up too.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she grumbled, but she gave me a grateful look.
“I want to. We’re friends, it’s what we do,” I insisted, glancing up as Lexi appeared in the doorway.
“When are they letting you out?” she asked, trying to look happy for me but struggling.
“Monday,” I answered, making her groan.
“That soon? Ugh, you suck. You’ll be jumping on all that cock again in no time and forgetting all about the beautiful nights we shared.”
“Already forgotten about them,” I teased, laughing as she dove on me and forced a kiss to my cheek.
“I’ll really miss you,” she admitted, and I pulled both her and Tilly in for a hug.
“I’ll miss you guys too.”