Epilogue
Lacey
Eight Months Later
Max and I sit in the front row of the court. Brad Davis was convicted of three counts of murder, including the murder of Max and Chris’s mother, on top of countless other felonies.
International drug and arms smuggling.
Sex trafficking.
Aggravated assault.
You name it, he did it. And now he had the rap sheet to show for it.
Today we wait patiently for the judge to sentence him. He had a damn good attorney but I don’t know if that could even save him at this point. The prosecutors wanted to seek the death penalty but agreed to take it off the table for a full confession.
Brad agreed and wrote a ten page confession, explaining what he did and why.
Trial had been grueling before that. Both Max and Chris had testified against him. Both described what they witnessed the night their mom was killed at the hands of their dad and the various things since that day.
Chris completed his treatment program successfully and had a clear mind to testify. This was good since he was a key witness.
The jury was in tears at some of the more emotional parts of their statements. I took that to mean they believed the guys and the terrifying memories they shared. You simply couldn’t falsify the emotion and pain both of them clearly displayed when they talked about the last night they saw their mother alive.
The prosecutors also called Natalie to the stand. Max’s ex, if you wanted to call her that. He avoided her like the bubonic plague around the courthouse and she seemed to do the same with him.
After an emotional day of cross examination where she was harassed by the defense and outright called a high paid whore in front of a room full of onlookers I decided to approach her.
She was leery at first, knowing I was dating Max. She was one of the girls I brought back to stay at our apartment that first night of Brad’s arrest when the house was considered a crime scene. We didn’t talk much that night and the girls had gratefully accepted the clothes I let them have from my closet and went to bed almost immediately, spread out on the living room floor.
They left the next day and the police department funded two hotel rooms for them to share through trial.
Max and I had shown up to the courthouse daily holding hands. Natalie had stayed away from me to the best of her ability, eyes downcast when we passed each other.
But when I told her how strong and brave she was for taking the stand and subjecting herself to the ridicule when none of the other girls were willing to, she softened toward me.
She even apologized for trying to sleep with Max after she knew we were together. She grew teary eyed as she told me about smearing her lipstick on his jeans to cause distrust between us because she was jealous and unhappy. It was intentional, it was low, and she regretted it.
She said she wouldn’t have done it if she had met me first. That she liked me and could see the love between us.
She assured me he didn’t do anything and that he seemed to really respect and love me, even back on that night when she threw herself at him so brazenly. She was embarrassed by her behavior but I reassured her that I didn’t blame her for her actions. She had been through so much at the hands of Brad and she was just lashing out. Just hurting and masking it with sex.
I gave her my counselor’s office number and encouraged her to look into booking a session. She had helped me immensely and although I might not have fully healed yet I was on my way. It was a work in progress but I was so grateful for having started working through my pain.
Max walked outside that day to find the two of us hugging and crying on the sidewalk. He looked utterly horrified at first but when I went back inside and explained what was said he relaxed visibly.
“Don’t let her bully you.”
“She’s not.” I promised with a smile. “She’s a sweet girl.”
He huffs in incredulity. “Sweet?”
“Yes. Sweet.”
“That’s definitely not the word I would use to describe her.”
I smack his abs with the back of my hand and shoot him a scolding look. “She is. She’s just been through a lot. It’s there underneath the surface. I can see it.”
He kisses me, a smile twitching his lips. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that? You always see the best in everyone. I’m lucky to have you.”
Chris and Natalie walk back into the courtroom just in time to hear the judge issue the sentence. Chris sits next to Max and Natalie sits on the other side of Chris. Max is still suspicious of her and stays far away even after I befriended her.
Brad is sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
He remains stoic and unmoved when the guards lead him out of the room. On his way out he glares right into Max’s eyes and then moves his focus to Chris.
I’m proud to say that each of them met his gaze head-on, keeping eye contact until Brad had no choice but to break it as the guards led him out of sight.
They were unshaken by the threatening stare.
Brad would never have freedom again. He would die in a tiny prison cell, no one to talk to but a single cell mate and the guards. He would only see sunlight for one hour a day. And he deserved everything he was going to get.
Max visibly relaxes when his dad is out of view. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so relaxed in the entire year and a half I’ve known him. It’s like a weight, the heaviest of burdens, has been lifted. A light sparkles in his eyes and radiates from inside his soul.
He’s happy.
Chris is happy.
Natalie is happy.
And by default that makes me happy. These three people and so many others don’t have to live in fear anymore.
Brad sold his giant house to pay his attorneys. The remaining money, plus that of his cars and other assets, was confiscated by the court and issues to his sons and several victims.
Max and Chris were issued a lot of money. Let’s just say Max didn’t have to worry about working while he finishes his degree and was able to pay off his tuition in full. He plans to go for his master’s next year after his graduation.
Chris got an apartment with Natalie in the same complex and us. They claim to be roommates and friends but I suspect there might be more to it. Max chooses to turn the blind eye to their situation.
With the remainder of his money, Chris decided to go to school to be certified as a substance abuse counselor and open a small treatment facility. Natalie was going to help him and work at the front desk.
That left Max and I the apartment to ourselves and we planned to make the most of it.
“Let’s go home, angel.” Max smiles at me after we step out on the courthouse and step into the blazing sun. The warmth feels good on our skin after being in the chilled courtroom all day.
“I like the sound of that.”
✧The End✧