Page 81 of All My Witches
“Pretty much. She’s always loved that scene. This is her chance to do her version ofit.”
“That’s a terrifying thought.” Landon rolled his neck until it cracked. “Do you think that will be theend?”
“I hopeso.”
“But do you think it willbe?”
“I thought the cabin would be the end, so what do Iknow?”
Landon heaved out a sigh and pulled me in for a hug. “We’re close. It won’t be long now. I can feelit.”
“Yeah, I’m almost looking forward to the hangover I’m going to have when I wakeup.”
“I’ll tell you one thing, I’ve learned my lesson about drinking in a house with that woman,” Landon said. “From now on when we get rip-roaring drunk and decide to dance, it’s going to be under our own roof. Oh, and we’ll be naked when ithappens.”
I might’ve been exhausted, but I was genuinely amused at the way his mind worked. “Goodplan.”
“Thankyou.”
We lapsed into comfortable silence, Marcus and Thistle paired off to the left and Clove and Sam to the right. As if tied together, we jerked our heads to the back of the courtroom at the sound of footsteps. I could only sigh when I saw the well-dressed woman in the smart business suit heading in ourdirection.
“This is definitely the end,” Thistle noted when she caught sight of the woman. “She’s cast Aunt Willa in this one. There must be areason.”
“She’s Aunt Tillie’s ultimate enemy,” I agreed. “I’m guessing she’s the prosecuting attorney. It only makes sense that it would be Aunt Willa pushing her on the stand when she gets her bigmoment.”
“Oh, well, this might be fun.” Landon gave Aunt Willa a pinched smile. “How are you,ma’am?”
“The name is Ima Doodyhead,” Aunt Willa barked. “I’ll be the one making sure that Alexis Kane finally pays for the damage she’s done to thisworld.”
I tried to keep a straight face. No, really I did. The second my gaze snagged with Thistle’s, though, we burst into hystericallaughter.
“Ima Doodyhead? That’s probably the best name I’ve heard since I got to this place.” I felt Landon’s shoulders shaking with silent laughter as he tugged me back against him. “Well, Ms. Doodyhead, how can we be ofassistance?”
“You’ll all be taking the stand,” she replied. “We need your testimony to make sure that Alexis doesn’t manage to walk away …again.”
“Just out of curiosity, how many times has she been on trial?” Landonasked.
“Thirty-six.”
“Of course.” Landon pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “What do you want us todo?”
“I merely want you to tell the truth when it’s your turn on thestand.”
“And that’sit?”
“That’sit.”
Landon exchanged a weighted look with me before nodding in capitulation. “Okay then. Let’s starttestifying.”
SAM WAS UP FIRST.
It made sense. Aunt Tillie wanted to build tension, so that meant she was saving those of us she really wanted to torture until the end. I knew I’d be one of the last to go. I figured Thistle might be the ultimate witness. There was a good chance it might be Landon, too. I wasn’t sure which outcome would serve usbetter.
As for Sam, he looked so tired I almost felt sorry forhim.
“What can you tell us about your interaction with Ms. Kane?” Aunt Willa asked, pacing the floor between Sam and Aunt Tillie. Aunt Tillie sat in a huge reclining chair behind the defense table, what looked to be an entire team of high-priced lawyers helping her along, and she appeared more amused thanworried.
“I have no idea,” Sam answered. “You need to be morespecific.”
