Page 12 of Endgame
Everett’s tone shreds me from the inside out.
I don’t think he’s on my side.
Quite the opposite.
I was wrong before. This isn’t about my parents.
He’s mad at me.
This isn’t a sexy kind of anger anymore either. He won’t be bending me over anything.
If looks could kill, there’d be nothing left of me but dust.
Why, though?
I gulp around the lump in my throat. The pads of my fingers press to the edge of the table, white-knuckled. Sweat beads at the back of my neck.
God, I’m so terribly exposed to him.
“I’m sorry, Your Honor.” Larry’s brow furrows, his confidence diminishing. I sneak a glance at the ADA. She’s looking between the judge and us, just as lost by the turn of events. “What do you mean, exactly?”
“Mr. Nelson.” Everett leans forward.
A murmur ripples through the room as tension stretches taut. He’s no longer just a judge behind a bench. He’s a loaded weapon.
To my shame, I want more of it.
“Since you and I know each other from way back…” Everett’s sardonic tone is awful. “I won’t be wasting your time.”
“I appreciate the gesture, but?—”
Everett raises his hand. Larry clamps his mouth shut.
“Your client’s apology is redundant. Her impressive track record is proof of her blatant lack of remorse for shoplifting.”
My stomach sinks, embarrassment and fury crashing into each other. Why is he hellbent on humiliating me like this?
“I don’t see how a fake, teary-eyed apology is going to change any of that orher.”
He’s right, I won’t change. But every trial, I still repeat the same apology, or it’s another week in the basement for me.
“Please, if you will, my client has a few things she’d like to start by apologizing.”
“I see no use in wasting either the taxpayers’ money or the court’s time on your client.” There’s fire in Everett’s eyes.
A full-body tremble seizes me. My chest tightens, my stomach knots. A sharp chill skates down my spine like ice water in my veins. It’s like every muscle is trying to hold me together while my insides fall apart.
“Miss Clarke.”
I still myself, knowing nothing good is going to come out of this. Nothing at all.
“Starting today, you’ll be spending the rest of your life in prison, serving the sentence you so clearly deserve.”
2
EVERETT
“Judge Alder.” Aurora’s lawyer jumps to his feet. My statement has taken him by surprise, so much so that he isn’t bothering to button his jacket. Is it fear for his reputation or his client’s freedom that turns his face pale? “Your Honor, if I may. This sentence, don’t you think it’s too harsh? We’re talking about shoplifting, not murder.”
