Page 128 of Strays
When we leave the courtroom, Jayme and Renner stop just outside to talk to us.
Renner keeps his voice low. “The judge’s ruling next week is more than procedural. If he doesn’t grant our motion, we’re fighting with one arm tied behind our backs.”
Jayme nods, arms crossed. “And it’ll tell us something else, too. If he sides with us, it means he’s willing to hear the case fairly. But if he shuts that motion down, you’re going into that courtroom labeled as a threat before we ever say a word.”
“If that happens, we’ll still fight it,” Renner says. “We’ve got fallback strategies. But without the right to argue justification, it’s damage control. We’ll be trying to make a jury feel what the law won’t let us say.”
Note left inside Judge Loyle’s car
(discovered on the passenger seat)
Achilles Gaimon Academy. Lower School, Room 3A.
Mrs. Daniels says she’s brilliant.
She waits by the big oak after ballet on Thursdays.
Driver who picks her up in the silver SUV, nice man.
We asked if she likes cupcakes, she says she can’t have any, mom says no, because of the milk allergy.
Pretty hair ribbon today.
Step aside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Kicking the Hornet’s Nest
The following days are nerve-racking. We’re all stretched to the limit, waiting for the judge’s decision on Renner’s motion.
I throw myself into the Aranya investigation. First, because I can’t stop looking for a legal way to get him. I can’t make peace with the idea that he might walk free after almost two decades of crimes, not after everything Jo uncovered about what that fucker’s been doing to those women.
And second, because I don’t want to think about the trial at all. It’s like having an axe poised over our necks.
We re-check every single piece of the TGH communications. It’s much easier to understand the encrypted messages now that we know so much more about the operation, so we thought we’d catch something we missed the first time; something that could tie Aranya directly to the trafficking network.
But it’s useless. We’re still empty-handed.
At the garrison, every pack keeps searching for a legal breach, but just like before, nothing sticks. We keep getting blocked on technicalities. It’s fucking frustrating.
Friday morning, we’re at the DEA when my phone buzzes and Jayme’s name lights up the screen. I already know this is it; the judge must’ve made a decision.
I take a breath before answering, hands trembling. “Yeah?”
There’s a pause, just long enough to make my gut twist.
Then Jayme’s voice comes through, calm, firm, and satisfied. “He granted the motion, Kory. Full ruling just posted. We’re cleared to argue justification, and character evidence is off the table.”
I don’t speak. I can’t.
“You still there?” he asks.
I grip the phone tighter. “…I thought he’d shut it down.”
“So did I,” Jayme admits. “But this judge isn’t looking to make an example out of you. He’s listening. It won’t be a clean trial; they’ll still fight dirty, but the jury gets to hear the truth. All of it.”
My whole chest feels warmer. “Does Renner know yet?”
