Page 151 of Strays
And then, the bailiff steps to the side door. “All rise.”
The courtroom hushes in an instant, and everyone stands. Judge Conway enters, black robe flowing behind her.
She takes her seat. “Please be seated,” she says.
Once the room settles, she looks toward the bailiff. “Bring in the jury.”
The doors open, and the jurors file in quietly. They take their seats in the jury box, most of them avoiding our eyes. The foreperson sits in the front row, holding a sealed envelope in her hands.
Judge Conway waits until they’re settled, then nods once at the foreperson.
“Madam Foreperson, has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?”
The foreperson stands. “We have, Your Honor.”
She steps forward and gives the envelope to the bailiff, who passes it to the judge. Judge Conway reads it silently, her expression unreadable. Then she hands it back.
“Will the defendants please rise.”
We stand. My mouth is dry.
“Madam Foreperson, please read the verdict.”
The foreperson opens the paper. “On the charge of misdemeanor assault, we the jury find the defendants not guilty.”
The words don’t register at first. They hit like static.
I hear Jo’s soft gasp behind us. Shane’s hand grips my shoulder. Jay exhales like he’s coming up from underwater.
Judge Conway speaks again, but I don’t catch all of it, something about discharging the jury, thanking them for their service, reminding the gallery to maintain decorum.
The gavel drops once. It’s over.
We can go home.
[Signal Chat — September 04, 2025 — 05:37 PM]
— Veronica: Seated. Visual on target.
— Rob: Copy. I’m in.
— Veronica: Any issues?
— Rob: None. Badge scanned fine.
— Veronica: Good. I’ll get her moving to you.
— Rob: Standing by. Just give me the hand when you move.
— Veronica: You’ll have it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Unleashed
Jo rushes forward the moment the judge exits, and the four of us crash together in a wordless, tangled hug.
We are all shaking. Relief and exhaustion are fighting for space in my chest, but it’s over. It’s finally all over now.
