Rason & Eliza - Cee Bowerman Page 0,61

outside of the courtroom where Robin’s hearing was underway.

I sat down on the same bench I’d been sitting on between bouts of pacing since 8:45 this morning, my hand still in Rason’s. I smiled at Detective Lake, who had also been relegated to the hallway. His presence upset Robin badly, just as Rason’s had when he took the stand to give his victim statement this morning.

“What the hell was that?” Rason whispered when he leaned down close to my ear.

“It’s bad luck to talk about an event before it’s conclusion. Do you see those horses?” I asked as I nodded toward the picture I’d stared at for most of the day while I waited anxiously on a stranger to decide our future.

“Yeah, I see them.”

“They’re running into the building.”

“They’re running in a painted field, Eliza. Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“In Vietnamese culture, it’s bad luck to talk about an event before its conclusion. A painting of running horses should be hung so that the horses are facing into the building like those horses. It’s for a wish of success and victory based on the tale about triumphant warriors who came home on their horses. I read those things in a book about Vietnamese symbols and superstitions. Are they true?”

“Eliza, at this point, you probably know more about the Vietnamese culture than I do.”

“Well, apparently I’m marrying a half-Vietnamese man who tries very hard to honor his mother’s cultural beliefs, so it’s good that I’m learning.”

Rason’s laugh boomed out into the hall, echoing off the somber, wood-paneled walls.

“If we’re going to follow customs, then you’ll have to propose when my family meets yours and my mom agrees to the match. Then we’ll burn incense and offer gifts to your ancestors.” I glanced at the clock that hung above the horse painting. “What you said in his chambers doesn’t count as far as I’m concerned.”

“You lied when you told him you don’t lie.”

“I didn’t lie once, Rason. I’ll explain when we see Hank and Mesha next, okay?”

Rason leaned forward and put his elbow on his knee and then ran his hand through his hair and held it there while he stared at the floor. “This whole fucking day has been confusing as hell. I’m ready for someone to explain everything to me.”

I let go of his hand so I could rub mine up and down his back, giving him what comfort I could while we waited to see if he could start living his life without the fear and chaos that Robin had created for us.

◆◆◆

“Are you serious?” Rason whispered, his eyes wide with shock. He was squeezing my hand so hard that it hurt, but I was squeezing his right back just as hard. My head was spinning and I could feel my heart racing at the good news that the prosecutor had for us.

“She got a life sentence. She won’t be eligible for parole for 56 years. That bomb was her downfall; the rest was just the icing on the cake. Her behavior in the courtroom didn’t help her case much either. The state’s still got charges against her for practicing without a license and quite a few counts of fraud. They probably wouldn't even worry with those if they weren’t lumped in with the charges against both of her parents,” the prosecutor explained. “But that’s neither here nor there. She’s been remanded to custody and you’re free as a bird to live your life.”

“Holy shit.” Rason’s head dropped down and he stared at the floor as he caught his breath. “I’m free to just walk out the door and not worry about anything at all.”

“All I can say is have a good life, and look both ways before you cross the street,” the prosecutor chuckled. “I know this has been hard on you, and I’m glad it worked out the way it did. It was a win for all of us, but most especially, justice for you.”

“It’s over,” I whispered. “Rason, it’s all okay.”

“I hope the two of you have happy days ahead,” the prosecutor said with a smile as he walked away.

“Eliza,” Rason gushed. I opened my mouth to answer him, but before I could say a word, he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me against his chest. He spun us around and around until I was dizzy, his laughter ringing through the long hall. “It’s over!”

I leaned down and kissed him, my happy tears falling on his face as he held