Part 26 - Chapter 6 - On Trial

"Now we wait," Samantha said, putting her papers back into her briefcase as the courtroom cleared. "Hopefully we planted enough doubt in their minds."

"Hopefully,"Hector scoffed. He tried to remain confident, but reality was setting in. His entire future rested on the decision of the twelve jurors in the deliberation room. "It's looking good for me, isn't it? They didn't really prove anything, did they?"

"Of course, they didn't, dear," Victoria said as she stepped closer to Hector and Samantha. "There is no way anyone could find you guilty."

Samantha tried to mask the look of doubt that crossed her face. "I think we made the case, but it's in the jury's hands now."

As Hector was escorted from the courtroom, Victoria and Justin walked out through the other way. When they reached the lobby, Victoria paused thoughtfully in the doorway.

"Could you wait here for me, Mr. Jordan? I'll be right back. There's something I need to attend to."

"Of course, madam."

"In the jury's hands," Victoria mumbled to herself as she walked away. She wasn't about to leave her son's life in the hands of some jury. She was going to have a word with the judge. His family and hers went way back, there must be something more that could be done about this.

"I think that was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life," Eileen lamented. "And that defense attorney's questions . . . she was trying to make me out to be a gold digger or a complete flake. That's not the way I really seem, is it?"

"No, of course not," Veronica said. "It's her job to try to make you look bad so that the jury will doubt your testimony. No one thinks that way about you, especially not any of us who really know you. It's ridiculous. You did a good job on the stand. I'm sure the jury will believe what you said."

"Thanks. I hope you're right."

"I just couldn't believe you were going through so much on your own for so long. I wish you would have said something."

"I did tell Lawrence and Cassie. I just wish I'd thought to bring a tape recorder or another witness with me when I confronted Hector." She sighed. "I really hope they do believe me."

As Justin waited for Mrs. Burgess to return, his eyes wandered around the room, looking at the other people who were waiting for either a verdict or instructions to go home and wait. His eyes kept straying towards the only other lone person in the room. As hard as he tried not to look at her, he couldn't help glancing her way. Their eyes met briefly, more than once before they both gave up trying to ignore each other and met in the middle of the room.

"Hi."

"Hello. How are you doing?"

Lucy shrugged. "I'm honestly not sure . . . I was surprised to see you in the courtroom."

"I've started working for Mrs. Burgess again. She wanted someone here with her today."

"Don't we all."

"I'm surprised to see you alone. Where is your husband?" Justin asked carefully, hesitant to bring it up.

"Who knows," Lucy scowled. "He decided, apparently, that being here for me isn't as important as going back to work."

"I'm sorry," he said, more shocked than sympathetic.

"So am I." She turned her glance from the window to look into his eyes. "Very sorry."

Justin looked away shyly and cleared his throat. "When I accepted Mrs. Burgess' job, I made it very clear that my work at Pheasant Run has to come first. Until you find a permanent coordinator, I won't neglect my duties."

"You're a good man, Mr. Jordan. That's something rare."

They looked at each other, both thinking thoughts that they weren't sure they should share outloud. Before either of them could decide what to say next, Mrs. Burgess interrupted them. She looked coldly at Lucy before summoning Justin away.

In the deliberation room, the jury foreman had finished counting the votes.

"I guess that's it," he said. "It's unanimous. I'll tell the bailiff we have our verdict."