say, your crimes are both extensive and sickening, Mr. McGee. You lack humility, and you treated your victims as worthless commodities. Not once in my thirty-nine years of office have I read such demoralizing, heartless, and downright nauseating claims. You used your privileged life to escape conviction and seek new victims at every turn without once showing remorse.”
He peers down at a stack of papers in front of him to check the extent of Madden’s charges before continuing, “Your crimes are too broad to offer you the mercy you’re seeking, Mr. McGee. So, in saying that, I sentence Madden Vincent McGee to ninety-nine consecutive years behind bars with parole not eligible for the first sixty. Three years for each victim.” After banging down his gavel to quieten the sobs of joy breaking across the chambers, the judge says, “You’ll be ninety before parole will be considered. Hopefully, by then, you would have matured enough to reflect true sorrow for what you have done.”
“All rise,” the bailiff requests when the judge stands to his feet.
When the judge breaks through the mahogany stained door at the back of the podium, it’s the fight of my life not to throw my fist into the air. I wouldn’t hesitate if the faintest buzz of my cell phone in my pocket wasn’t stealing my focus. I told Grayson I’d update him as soon as the verdict was handed down. Even he must be growing impatient.
“He got ninety-nine years,” I laugh down the line, my words choked by a sob.
“About fucking time,” Grayson replies, breathing out in relief. “You did it, punk. You brought the bad guy to justice. How does it feel?”
“It feels good.” It takes me a little longer to reply than I care to admit. I’m glad justice has been finally served, but I also understand the judge’s stern ruling. Madden pled guilty, but he’s yet to express an ounce of remorse for what he has done. He truly doesn’t understand what his victims went through because he’s never been victimized.
“Hey, Grayson, can I call you back? There’s someone I need to talk to.”
He makes kissy noises. “Give your girl a kiss for me.”
I hang up before his laughter hackles half my nerves. I wasn’t referencing Melody when I said there was someone I needed to speak with. It’s the man seated in the back of an almost tank-like SUV. It’s the same SUV I approached weeks ago when I realized the only way I could get Madden to take blame for what he had done was by scaring him as he had scared his victims.
The Mob has arrived in Saugerties.
As I gallop down the stairs of the courthouse, Henry slides down the heavily-tinted window of his bulletproof ride. He doesn’t ask what the verdict was. His face shows he already knows. “Are you happy?”
I shrug, truly unsure how I feel.
I do know one thing, though. I have more power than Madden has ever had, and that is thanks to both Liam and his daughter.
Henry’s gleaming smile competes with the midday sun when I ask, “You wouldn’t happen to have any influence on who inmates are housed with, would you?”
“Perhaps. Why? Do you have a request?”
As Mr. Gregg’s words ring in my head on repeat, I mutter, “Big Papa seemed a little lonely last month. Perhaps Madden could keep him entertained during his transition from citizen to inmate. It may be the only way he’ll truly learn from his mistakes.”
Henry’s smile is as evil as the man he wants you to believe he is. “I’ll have Kwan collect earbuds on the way home from his shift this evening. He’ll need them by tomorrow afternoon.” When the quickest flare of hesitation darts through my eyes, he adds, “It’s okay to tiptoe onto the wrong side of the law as long—”
“As I find my way back,” I interrupt. Feeling lighter and freer than I’ve ever felt, I get cheeky. “Have you ever considered taking your brother’s advice, Henry?”
His chuckles are as dark as his hair coloring. “Are you sure I haven’t already, Brandon James McGee?” After nudging his head behind my shoulder, he commences winding up his window. “Look after her. I don’t want to be forced to tie up more loose ends.”
I discover who Henry is referencing when Melody’s reflection beams off the tinted window of his SUV. She’s racing down the stairs as quickly as I did earlier, her face glowing with excitement.
I assume her eagerness to reach me stems from Madden’s sentencing,