her away from an upsetting scene to someplace safe and familiar. For me, that was even more urgent than calling in the law. That’s all I have to say.”
Clay’s cross-examination was tepid. And the man looked even more ragged than he had that morning, his eyes sunk in shadows, his speech far from its usual machine-gun delivery. By the time he finished his closing statement, once more pressing the point that Will’s impulsive shot had needlessly killed an innocent man, he appeared so exhausted that Will wondered if he might be ill—or maybe trying to garner sympathy.
Tori’s performance, in Will’s eyes at least, was flawless. As she faced the jury, looking spectacular and pointing out that Will had done what any reasonable father would do, one thought took root in his mind. If he walked out of this courthouse a free man, he wanted Tori back. He wanted her in his home and in his bed, with his ring on her finger. He wanted a normal, loving family life with his wife and daughter. And he wouldn’t give up until he’d made it happen.
But right now, everything depended on the outcome of the trial.
So far, Will had reason to be hopeful. But juries could be unpredictable, verdicts surprising. There was no way of knowing what would go on behind those closed doors. A strong case didn’t always win. And this one, based more on circumstance than on solid evidence, would be a judgment call. It could go either way.
With his freedom hanging on their decision, Will watched the jury file out of the courtroom, charged with finding on two counts— manslaughter and obstruction of justice. They could be out for an hour. Or they could be arguing into tomorrow.
* * *
Will, Tori, Erin, Lauren, and Beau drove the seven blocks to Tori’s house to wait. Tori broke out cold sodas and snacks for everyone. Erin and Beau switched on a video game. The action crackled, heightening the tension in the room as they played. Lauren, looking tired, phoned Sky, then wandered into Tori’s room to lie down. Tori and Will, too edgy to relax, alternately sat and prowled. Time crawled, minute by anxious minute.
Two hours from the time they’d reached the house, Tori got the call. The jury had a verdict. They piled into her wagon and rode in silence back to the courthouse. Sitting beside Erin in the backseat, Will felt his daughter’s hand creep into his. He held on tight as they pulled into the parking lot and stopped at the side entrance to the courthouse. In the foyer they glimpsed Stella, in her tight black dress, hurrying into the courtroom ahead of them.
Pulse racing, Will took his place at the table with Tori. Erin and Lauren had moved forward to sit behind him, next to Beau. They’d scarcely had time to get settled before the jury filed back into the box and “Please rise” signaled the entrance of the judge. As they sat again, Will glanced across the aisle at Clay Drummond. Beads of sweat gleamed on the prosecutor’s forehead.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?” the judge asked.
The foreman stood. “We have, Your Honor.”
“Will the defendant please rise?”
Will stood, his expression frozen in a stoic mask. Beside him, he could feel Tori trembling.
“On the count of manslaughter, how do you find?” the judge asked.
“We the jury find the defendant, Williston Tyler, not guilty.”
Will’s knees went slack. He groped for Tori’s hand, not finding it.
“And on the count of obstruction of justice? How do you find?”
“We find the defendant not guilty.”
Not guilty!
As the words sank in, the courtroom erupted in sound and movement. Erin flung herself over the rail and wrapped her arms around Will’s neck. Beau was hugging his shoulders. As if from far away, he heard the judge thanking the jurors and telling him he was free to go. His arm reached for Tori and pulled her close. Quivering, she pressed her face against his jacket.
Looking past her, Will caught a flash of hate-filled green eyes. Facing him from across the aisle, Stella mouthed something he couldn’t understand. Then, with a last, venomous look, she turned and stalked out of the courtroom.
CHAPTER 19
Abner got word of the verdict from the bailiff, who’d called to let him know that Will Tyler wouldn’t be needing the jail cell he’d reserved. Too bad in a way. Seeing the high-and-mighty Will locked up and headed for prison would have given him some satisfaction. But he’d