Roman's Vow (Riley's Pride #4) - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,80
what do you know? Yeah, I’ll stick around,” Lawrence said. “I’m here already and decided whatever happens, happens, so yeah. Bring it on.”
“She’s not back there with them?” Roman asked, his voice growly, thinking Talie was exposed to them.
“No, she’s not. She’s in a private waiting room with her guards and Ms. Autry. They don’t even know she’s in the same building. They keep male and female defendants separated, so they haven’t even seen her today,” Patrick explained.
“Okay,” Roman said. “But wait, you’re prosecuting their case?”
Patrick smiled. “I’m assisting. I’m attesting to the evidence we gathered to exonerate Talie, and just happens to incriminate Frederick Davis and his accomplices. I happily volunteered my time free of charge, and have to be here to present the findings on behalf of the prosecution team, should they go that deeply into it today. If not, I’ll be here again when they do.”
Roman smiled. “Seems fitting the same thing that’s freeing her is condemning them,” he said.
“Doesn’t it, though?” Patrick answered. “This is a hell of a great day.”
“It is,” Roman said grinning and looking toward the door Talie had gone through with Sheryl and Ms. Autry at her side.
“She’s fine. She’s protected. Go get her some clothes and when you come back, you’ll still have to wait most likely.”
“I won’t be long,” Roman said, turning on his heel and heading for the exit of the courtroom. He slowed his pace when he realized the man sitting in the back of the courtroom was familiar to him. Lazarus was sitting in the courtroom. Roman’s head canted slightly to the side as he prepared to ask Lazarus why he didn’t let him know he was there, but he sped up again and looked away when Lazarus gave a slight shake of his head and flicked his eyes toward the exit.
Chapter 18
Roman walked out into the parking lot and toward where he’d left the SUV, his hearing focused for any indication of footsteps behind him to let him know Lazarus was following. He didn’t hear any, so he took his time getting into his vehicle and backing out. Just as he was about to drive away he noticed Lazarus in his rearview mirror walking toward him. Roman sat where he was and watched as Laz kept walking past him. He crossed the parking lot to the main road in front of the courthouse, before jogging across the street and disappearing down a side street between two buildings about halfway down the block.
Only when Lazarus disappeared from sight, did Roman start to drive away. He drove up the service road beside the parking lot, then got in the turning lane and turned down the same street Lazarus had walked down. He drove slowly until three blocks down, he noticed Lazarus walking along the sidewalk. As Roman approached, he unlocked the doors and slowed to a crawl.
Lazarus glanced his way, then stepped off the curb and got into the SUV.
“’Sup,” Laz asked in his rough gravelly voice, grinning ear to ear.
“Talie’s been freed! They cleared her of all charges and now I’m just waiting on the paperwork to be finished to take her home!” Roman rushed out excitedly.
“Man, that’s fucking awesome!” Laz said, grinning and gripping Roman’s hand in a shake of solidarity.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were in the courtroom, you could have sat up front with me,” Roman said as he waited for a light to turn green.
“You don’t need to be seen with me or talking to me until I know these fuckers are going down and I’m not called on anything. Besides, I wasn’t there for you, I was there to make sure Frederick’s little friends did what they were supposed to and followed through,” Lazarus said.
“Ah, I see. I don’t know how to thank you, Laz,” Roman said.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“Yeah, I do. According to Talie’s attorneys, we’d have gotten her out eventually, but it would have taken a lot longer. Because Frederick’s friends turned on him, she’s already coming home. Today!” Roman said again, practically giddy.
Lazarus laughed. “I am so happy for you, brother.”
“I’m so excited. I just can’t even think straight,” Roman said.
“Where you headed?” Laz asked.
“To get her something to wear besides her jailhouse scrubs,” Roman said. “They said it would be a while, hours even until I can take her home, so I’m going to grab her something to change into real quick. If I see a charm for Darcie’s new bracelet, I’ll grab that, too.”