Page 57 of Sheltering Lawson
“It would save the prosecution from having to prove Brad’s intent as the burden of proof is on the prosecution in any criminal case, and proving intent in the mind of a defendant isn’t necessary when the prosecution charges aggravated assault. And surprisingly, aggravated assault carries a maximum sentence of twenty years as opposed to the ten an attempted murder charge carries. But, an experienced defense attorney still has an arsenal of legal tools and techniques to effectively establish reasonable doubt in the minds of a jury, so the more witnesses the better.”
He leaned forward, his face grim. “In addition, the state will be charging both men with one count of kidnapping and one count of grand theft in regard to your stolen and lost vehicle. As a matter of routine, we searched his residence for evidence and found a substantial amount of cocaine at his home and will also add drug possession to Brad’s charges.” Taking a deep breath, he closed a folder. “Brad is still in the Louisiana system and bail has been denied on the grounds that he has no ties to the community. We have set in motion an extradition request to have him remanded to Georgia for prosecution.” His face showing his sympathy, he said, “I’m so sorry, Haley, that you’ve had such a terrible ordeal. Brad just kept saying you were traveling whenever I would ask about you. I wished you had come to me. I would have supported you.”
“I realize that now, but then I felt I was running for my life and I was right. He wanted to kill me for my money and assets. That’s why he got so angry when I served him with the divorce papers. He was about to lose his meal ticket.”
Back at the townhouse, I emptied out my bags. Ethan came into the bedroom we were sharing and leaned against the doorjamb. “How you holding up?”
“Good. With you here, it makes it so much easier.”
He pushed off and came over to me. “I was thinking.”
“That could be dangerous.”
“I know. But I threw caution to the wind. How about we go over to your previous home, and I help clean it out?”
“That would be so wonderful. I’m dreading going there alone, so many bad memories.”
He pulled me into his arms and rubbed my back. “I’m as wonderful as they come.”
I chuckled. “You are.” I sobered. “I’m so glad you’re here. Your presence has made all of this bearable.”
The next day we drove to the house located on three acres and overlooked a lake in Buckhead, a small community just outside of Atlanta. As we approached the private gated entrance, Ethan whistled long and low. “You really were a princess.”
I laughed. “I was. But none of this made me happy, Ethan. The only place I’ve ever been truly happy was in Suttontowne, living in the back of Outlaws in that beautiful place you made for me.”
We parked in front of the three-car garage and entered the house through the front door. It was filled with high ceilings, hardwood floors and mahogany doors and windows that opened to outdoor living places, ideal for the kind of entertaining we used to do. Everything was opulent and gorgeous, and I felt nothing as we started going through the things that could be eliminated for a better house showing.
After we had been at it for a bit, Ethan looked out the window. “Swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts. It really is something. Your dumb-ass of a husband didn’t know what he had.”
I leaned against him, wrapping my arm around his waist. “When we bought it, I thought I would fill it with children and laughter. I was so in love with stars in my eyes and now it’s nothing but a memory.” I turned to him apprehensive. “Does my wealth upset or bother you?”
He frowned. “What? No. I just can’t stop thinking about how you went from all this to living in your car. How you pulled yourself together and did what you had to do to survive. I’m blown away by you, Haley. Fucking blown away.”
“I’m definitely not the same little mouse that ran from this house, from the abuse and fear of confrontation. I was tempered in fire and forged stronger because of it. Is it weird that I don’t regret it at all? The fear and panic, yes. But learning what I was made of, learning what I can do, learning that I had a core of steel—no.”
After two busy weeks, I took Ethan to the airport a couple of days before he had to report for his training.
“I’m going to miss you something fierce, Ethan Fairchild.”
“I’ll miss you, too, but I’ll be back to testify. He cupped my jaw and kissed me deeply. Then he was gone.
I drove away from the airport knowing that I had the ordeal of a trial to get through with the possibility that some slick defense lawyer could get Brad off on the charges. Nevertheless, I called my divorce lawyer and reinstated the process, telling her I wanted it done as quickly as possible. I also contacted a realtor. I was going to liquidate everything except the townhouse and the beach house on Saint Simons Island. Our marital home, boat, and Brad’s car would all be sold. Brad would have to agree to a seventy/thirty split with a monetary compensation for my year of hardship. We’d already been separated for a year and our marriage was so over.
To keep my mind off Ethan’s absence and the situation with Brad, I applied to Tulane, University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University law schools. I was late in applying, but hoping for admission in the fall. Tulane would be my first choice, but we had to see. My LSATs were competitive as well as my dual degree from the University of Georgia.
I touched my lips, Ethan’s kiss still lingering and there was nothing but hope and love in my heart.
As time passed and I missed Ethan, I buried myself in getting prepared to move to Suttontowne, keeping in touch with Brax about my progress for a law degree and simple chit chat that always made me smile. The house and boat had gone fast shortly after they had been listed for sale, and the car was an easy sale to the dealership where we had bought it. It made it easy that all of it was in my name. I’d be closing on the house at the end of July. My cute little Mercedes sports car in a fire engine red was coming with me to Suttontowne.
Brad had been transferred from Louisiana to Georgia two weeks after he and his father tried to kill me. He was currently being held without bail. The pre-trial proceedings were just about to be set in motion. I’d seen Ethan only a few weekends with his commitment to his training and his business with Chase. We’d talked on the phone now that I had a cell phone and regular service again, but it wasn’t the same as being with him. I missed him so much, and I missed Suttontowne.
It was now the middle of July and my cell rang as I set my mail on the counter. My hands trembling when I saw the Tulane envelope. A hefty envelope. I checked the display and saw it was the DA’s office calling. I was on a first name basis with his assistant. “Hello, Maria.”
“Haley, Tom would like to meet with you as soon as your schedule permits. There’s been a development in your case.”
“All right. I’ll be there in a half an hour.”
“Perfect. He’ll see you then.”
