Who I Am With You (Imagination #10) - Staci Stallings Page 0,61

in their previous spots, ready for the next round of tedium. They all stood when the judge’s entrance was announced; however, before the potential jurors were brought back in, the defense lawyer asked if he could approach the bench. On the other side of Greg, Mitchell straightened like he’d been struck by a bolt of white hot lightning. He looked like he had too.

Taylor looked over at him, trying to keep tabs on what was going on down front and understand what had Mitchell on such instant high-alert. In her confusion between the two, she happened to glance back down to the tables where Chris sat, all alone. That was weird, she hadn’t even noticed when he had come in, but now he was hunched over, like his shoulders and head were trying to rest on the table.

“Bailiff,” Judge Galen said, summoning one of the uniformed officers who came over to the bench. There was a brief discussion there that no one could hear though not a single one of them was moving a centimeter in their attempt to figure out what was going on.

One nod and the bailiff walked over to Chris who stood, and just like that, the two of them walked out the front.

If Mitchell could have looked any more dumbfounded, Taylor didn’t know how. But if he didn’t know what was going on, how was she supposed to?

“The court will recess for one hour,” the judge said, banging her gavel.

“All rise.”

They all stumbled to their feet in complete confusion. A heartbeat after the judge and the two lawyers walked out the door on the other side of the bench, their entire group accosted Mitchell.

“What was that?” her father asked.

“What’s going on?”

“Why didn’t they bring the jury back in?”

“I’m… I don’t know,” Mitchell said. “I… That’s… I’m not sure.”

“Is this a good thing?” her father asked.

Mitchell was still fumbling. “It could be. I’m not sure.”

The whole thing had thrown Taylor so badly that she let out a very shaky breath and wrapped her arms in front of her. Instantly, Greg enveloped her in his embrace and held her there.

“Don’t worry. It’s going to be okay. It is. I promise.”

“All rise,” the bailiff said far more than an hour later, “court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Suzanne Galen presiding.”

Taylor stood again, but her legs had become a shaky, wobbly mess from the wait and the nerves. She fought to hold onto the peace she’d had earlier, but it was quaking too. It was then that she felt Greg’s hand brush the outside of hers, and desperately needing something to hold onto, she latched onto his and tightened her fingers there lest he even think about letting go.

Next to her, he straightened, his gaze only looking straight forward. She really hoped he didn’t mind her holding his hand like that, but right then, she wasn’t sure she even cared if he did.

The judge banged her gavel. “Be seated. Bailiff, please bring the defendant in.”

They sat, but Taylor was afraid of what would happen if she let go of her anchor or her anchor let go of her. Though the armrest didn’t make it easy, she slid her arm under and through his and held onto him as if he was the only thing keeping her in one piece.

The bailiff brought Chris in, and what Taylor most noticed was how his head never lifted. It was like he was afraid he would trip on the smooth wooden floor if he dared to raise his gaze. At the table, he turned but did not sit.

“Mr. O’Roarke, the court has been informed that you would like to change your plea. Is this correct?” the judge asked.

“Yes, your Honor,” he said, but his voice was almost swallowed by heavy silence in the huge room.

Collectively, they all sat forward, not wanting to miss a syllable.

“In the matter of the State versus O’Roarke, Mr. O’Roarke, how do you plead?”

Total silence engulfed everything.

“I plead no contest, your Honor.”

Taylor looked down at Mitchell, trying to figure out what that meant.

“Counsel,” the judge said to Jason, “have you reached a settlement with the defense?”

“We have, Your Honor,” Jason said, standing. “The people have agreed to time served plus six months in the county jail followed by a two-year probation so long as Mr. O’Roarke completes an anger management course approved by the court.” With that, Jason sat back down.

Six months. Six months. Taylor wanted to ask, but at the moment that was impossible.

“Mr. O’Roarke, do you