Page 39 of The Perfect Marriage

“Yes. Let’s pull Sheriff Stevens, Scott Summers, Deputy Hudson, and let’s find a relative of her husband, someone that has bad blood with her. We’re also going to need to pull her phone records. I want to find out who that third set of DNA belongs to.” I pause and quickly go over everything in my head, thinking about all possibilities. “Also, I’d like to talk to a few of her co-workers. Maybe there’s someone there that knew more about her past or her indiscretions, someone that can give us more insight on Kelly. Right now, no one seems to really know who she is.” I take another sip of my coffee.

“Got it, boss,” Anne says.

“I can take care of the phone records. I know people in high places who are willing to go to low places… for me.” Matthew winks.

I give him a small smile. “Thanks, Matthew. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. I have to jet off to a meeting—just send me the phone numbers.” He stands and pulls me in for a tight hug. “I’d do anything for you, Sarah.” He kisses both of my cheeks, says goodbye, and heads out of the café.

I glance down at my watch and look at Anne. “We should probably head over.”

26

Adam Morgan

I’m waiting outside the courtroom handcuffed and dressed in the clothes Sarah delivered. A guard is standing beside me, ensuring I don’t run—as if I’d have anywhere to run to. I’m pleading not guilty because I know I didn’t do this. But I also know that in some cases not committing the crime isn’t enough to be innocent. And I think I might be one of those cases. The evidence is stacked against me. I know that. Sarah knows that. Everyone knows that. I’ll need a miracle to get out of this.

My mother comes walking through the courthouse doors, dressed in all white as if she believes she’s my guardian angel. She pulls her Chanel glasses from her face and slides them into her bag. She stops right in front of me, surveying my attire. “You look perfect, darling,” she says, planting a kiss on each of my cheeks.

I shake my head.

My mother looks up and down at the guard standing beside me. “Are those necessary?” She points at the handcuffs around my wrists.

“He’s entering a plea for double homicide today… so, yes.”

“How could anyone think such a handsome and charming man could be guilty of anything?” She pushes the hair off my forehead gently.

The guard rolls his eyes. “No touching please, ma’am.”

Mom gives him a dirty look, then glances around the lobby. “Where’s Sarah and her little assistant?”

“They just went to grab coffee.”

“Giving into their own vices over my son’s well-being? Doesn’t seem like a very strong defense team.”

“Mom, stop.”

“I’m just saying.” She flips her hand at me dismissively.

Sarah and Anne enter the courthouse, each carrying a cup of coffee and a tote bag. A coffee would be great right about now, but if I’m wishing for things—a glass of scotch would be much better. They’re chatting as they approach me. I wonder where Matthew ran off to. He’s always showing up randomly and then disappearing. Sarah is wearing one of her standard power skirt suits in the color heather gray. Anne is dressed in a similar style, but her outfit probably costs a tenth of what Sarah’s does. Sarah’s whole demeanor changes when she sees my mother.

“There you are, Sarah,” Mom says. “I was wondering when you were going to get around to defending my son.”

Sarah stops quickly about a foot away. Anne gives an awkward nod and stands beside her. “The arraignment hasn’t started yet, Eleanor.”

Sarah practically turns her body away from my mom, making it very clear she has no desire to speak to her. “Here’s how this is going to go. You’ll enter your plea, and I’m going to try to get you out on bail. The judge will either grant or deny bail, and then he’ll set a trial date. Do you understand?”

“Yes. What are my chances of getting bail?”

“I’d say you should have a good chance. You have no criminal history and you’ve been cooperative thus far. But on the flip side, District Attorney Josh Peters may fight it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he did.”

“Why?”

“Yes, why would anyone want to see my son behind bars?” Eleanor asks. Sarah ignores her and only focuses on me.

“This is a very violent crime, and he is seeking the death penalty, and because of that you might be deemed a flight risk.” She takes a sip of her coffee, then looks back at me. Her face softens. She holds the cup up, offering it to me. I glance down at my handcuffed hands and shrug. She brings the cup to my lips and pours it into my mouth. It’s lukewarm, but it’s better than anything I’ve had in the jail. Sarah gives me a small smile as I pull away. Maybe she does still love me.

“Thank you.”

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