My Heart’s Home by Kris Michaels
Chapter 19
Cam finished the Windsor knot on his tie and drew a deep breath. It was the end of June. Six long months of court delays, motions, filings, and disclosures, but his ladies had weathered the storm. Mr. Cain had told him over and over that six months to trial was almost unheard of and extremely fast as far as the wheels of justice were concerned. Still, because of Ian’s notoriety as a serial killer and a cop, the DA moved heaven and earth to make sure his trial was quick, even to the point of leapfrogging other cases.
Cam stared at his knotted tie and then put in his tie tack. His little family had had their ups and downs over the last six months. Destiny needed specialized tutoring to catch up at school and was still held back a year. That had been devastating for her. He’d held her while she’d cried and then held Mercy when she’d cried after Dezzy fell asleep. They went to counseling as a family on Monday evenings, and Mercy and Destiny met with their own counselors during the week. Adapting to life after being homeless wasn’t instantaneous, and both Mercy and Destiny worked hard to deal with the ramifications of being homeless.
“Dezzy, are you ready?” Mercy called from the bathroom, where she was putting on her makeup.
“Yeah!” The call came down the hall, and Cam chuckled. His quiet life that consisted of nothing but work had been catapulted headlong into a noisy, wonderful swirl of home, school, and, unfortunately, court proceedings.
“Cam, do I look okay?” He turned and took in the woman in front of him. Mercy was wearing a black dress that fell to her knees and had a squared neckline. Her hair was lifted into a fancy wrap at the back of her head, and her makeup enhanced her large green eyes. She’d gained twenty pounds, and her natural, healthy curves filled her dress in all the right places.
“You look beautiful.”
She turned to look in the mirror. “Is it conservative enough? Maybe I should change.”
He reached out and put a hand on her arm when she turned to her closet. “Honey, it’s perfect. Stop worrying about your clothes.”
She reached up to her hair. “Is it stupid that I’m afraid to see him even though he’s going to go to jail again?”
“No.” He pulled her into him and held her against his chest. She sagged against him. “It isn’t stupid. The therapist said your emotions are valid. Ian took so much from you and Dezzy that it is fitting you watch him go to jail for the rest of his life. I’ll be right there. He’s going back to jail, and you’re coming home with me.”
“But what if the defense…”
“Shhh… Mr. Cain told us there is no way, no technicality, to pull out of the hat. So, he’s going back to jail.”
She nodded. “I’m worried about Dezzy.”
“So am I.” Minus the school setback, Dezzy had been sprouting wings and was fearless in some things yet timid in others. “Her counselor said it would be good for her to see justice being served. We’ll deal with the aftermath of this, and then we’ll never have to worry about Ian Patterson again.”
Mercy looked up at him. “Is that a promise?”
He carefully cupped her neck in his hand and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I hate that I can’t keep you from this, but I swear, this is the last time you’ll see that man.” If he had to move them out of the country, he’d do it. Whatever it took to end this nightmare permanently. He dipped down for a kiss. “We need to go.”
* * *
The first day of court was nothing but motions. The jury wasn’t even in the courtroom, but Mercy and Dezzy were, and so was Ian. Cam sat in the middle of them, and each one of them held a hand. He glared a hole in the back of Ian Patterson’s head. The man was a monster, and every so often, the bastard would turn around and smirk. Dezzy squeezed his hand every time the man moved. Finally, he leaned over and whispered, “He can’t hurt you.”
She pulled her eyes away from the man and stared at him. “Promise?”
“I do. See that man?” He nodded to the court bailiff.
Destiny looked over to where he indicated. “Yeah.”
“If Ian makes a move toward you or your mom, that man will have to pull me off him because he’d have to go through me to get to you. Understand?”
Dezzy flicked her eyes back up to him and smiled. “Yeah. Got it.”
Cam watched as the jury came in and the judge gave them instructions. Not once did Ian turn around to taunt Mercy and Dezzy while the jury was seated. He was playing a game. One he’d lose.
Two days later, the DA rested his case. His boss had locked down the other aspects of the case, although the defense had done everything they could to call all the physical evidence into question. There were several times when it appeared the prosecution had to scramble to recall a witness when the defense cross-examined, but in Cam’s mind, there was no way the jury couldn’t convict.
They lingered at the courthouse, talking with several investigators that Cam worked with and were just about to leave for lunch when Mr. Cain’s text came through.
>Jury has reached a verdict. Court resumes at 1330hrs.
Cam glanced at his watch in a surprised reflex.
“What?” Mercy’s hold of his hand tightened.
Cam glanced around to find Dezzy looking over one of the many railings to the floors below. “The jury has already reached a verdict.”
“That’s good, right? Quick?”
“That’s what I’ve always been told.”
“But it could go the other way?” Mercy asked.
“It could. I don’t see how, but it could.” Cam admitted the truth. Mercy would need to deal with the outcome regardless. He spoke in a normal tone, “Let’s go get something to eat.”
“Yes!” Destiny swung away from the rail. The girl almost danced over to them. “A salad bar place with lots of veggies.”
He chuckled. His women ate more veggies than anyone he’d ever met. Mercy had said the counselor suggested it was because they couldn’t access fresh vegetables when they were homeless. She’d snorted. “I could have told you that. How much are you paying this guy again?”
He laughed at the memory. Both Destiny and Mercy asked that same question when one of their counselors was particularly slow or dense on a topic of homeless life.
“Ms. Cahill?”
Cam, Mercy, and Destiny turned as one.
“Yes?” Mercy asked as a tall, distinguished woman approached them.
“Hi, I doubt you remember me, but I was with the food trucks last autumn. You told me what to put in the personal care packages for the children, remember? I’m Hannah King.”
Mercy’s smile lit up the corridor. “Of course. Thank you so much for those packs. Simple things like socks and a new toothbrush are such quality-of-life enhancements.”
The woman nodded and pursed her lips. “I agree. I pestered my husband to find out what happened to you when I couldn’t find you in January. Fortunately, we didn’t have to look too far. My son-in-law, Ryker Terrell, was Mr. Freeland’s Captain during the operation, and he knew where you were.”
“Why were you looking for me?” Mercy cocked her head, and Cam narrowed his eyes. That was a damn good question.
“Well, I was worried at first, but once I found out you were okay and with Mr. Freeland, I was so happy. The reason I’m here today in the court is because I know that awful man is being retried. I’d hoped to see you in the courtroom, but it was in recess before I could sneak up here.”
“Sneak up?” Mercy glanced from the woman to Cam.
“Well, I have a proposition for you. Actually, it is a part-time proposition.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Hannah, just ask her.” Another woman walked up next to Hannah and handed her a bottle of water. “And hurry, Chauncey is going to figure out where you went.”
Hannah accepted the water and smiled. “Thank you. This is my nextdoor neighbor, best friend, and according to our husbands, cohort in crime. Sharon McBride.”
Cam shook the woman’s hand when she offered it. “About that proposal?” he prompted, and a look of relief washed over Mercy’s expression.
Dezzy inched closer and grabbed his hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze and looked back at the older woman. Hannah took a slug from the water bottle and drew a deep breath. “The Hope City Civic Coalition has taken on the homeless population for full support and political lobbying for the next five years. To that end, we are looking for someone to head up the committee. Someone who knows what is needed, what will help, and what is a waste of time. We want to offer you the position. It’s paid but part-time, so no benefits.”
Mercy’s hand fluttered to her throat. “You think I’m the one to run the effort?”
Hannah lifted her chin. “I think you have inside information. The administration of the committee would be a joint effort. Still, you’d be the chair, directing where the money would have the greatest impact and giving the local Civic Coalition circles ideas for projects that would enhance the quality of life for a forgotten population. Please say you’d consider it?”
Mercy dropped Cam’s hand and extended hers. “Mrs. King, I’d be honored.”
The woman let out a small whoop and turned heads but she didn’t seem to mind. “Here, let me give you my number, and we’ll talk next week.”
“Two weeks.” Mercy smiled. “We’re going to St. Thomas next week.”
“Oh, how lovely! Yes, two weeks. Give me a call when you have time, and we’ll go to lunch. Sharon and I have so many questions.”
Sharon rolled her eyes. “She has questions. I’ll be there to remove you from the steamroller’s path.”
Hannah laughed. “I have been accused of being a little domineering.”
“A little?” Sharon’s voice squeaked comically, making everyone laugh.
“Ah, there you are, my dear.” A tall man with greying hair and a mustache strolled up. The fact he was wearing a police uniform with enough stars on his shoulder to sink a ship helped Cam put two and two together. He extended his hand. “Chief.”
“Dear, this is Investigator Freeland. Ryker told you about him.” Hannah waved at Cam. “And this is Mercy Cahill. She agreed to head up the committee for the HCCC.”
The Chief of Police shook hands with them and smiled at Destiny. “A pleasure. I’m sorry to interrupt, but Colm is waiting for us, and if he’s double-parked, I’m not getting him out of the ticket.”
Hannah held out a small piece of paper. “Here’s my number. I look forward to talking with you. Enjoy your vacation.” The last part was said over her shoulder as her husband walked her away from the conversation.
Dezzy stared after the threesome. “Wow, that lady was fierce. She’d rule the Cottages.”
Mercy chuckled. “Until she made someone mad.”
Dezzy nodded. “True.”
Cam moved his women through the crowded hallway to a busy restaurant across from the courthouse. They ordered quickly. He watched as Mercy talked with Destiny about the things that could be done for the homeless.
“Do you think they’ll actually get anything done?” Dezzy’s question was directed at him.
“I don’t know, but doing anything is better than nothing.” He shrugged.
“Right? Like how we made Christmas dinner.” Dezzy accepted a pop, and two glasses of water were placed in front of him and Mercy.
“Exactly.”
The meal arrived, and they ate while having an animated conversation. “Cam, do you think I acted too quickly? Should I have waited to see what the pay is or what the responsibilities are?”
He shook his head. “Why? It’s a project that calls to you. Who cares what it pays? You’ve been looking for a part-time job. This is perfect.”
Mercy nodded, and her head snapped up. “I’ll have to coordinate with the other agencies that are helping the homeless. If we could combine assets or even efforts, there is so much that can be done.”
“Mobile showers and laundry,” Dezzy added. “They came out twice and then never again.”
Mercy nodded. “The food trucks help, and the sandwich lines are irreplicable. But health and sanitation are the biggest problems.”
“Then there is shelter,” Cam added.
“There is so much need.” Mercy seemed to deflate in front of him.
“Give your time and your efforts, lead them the direction they need to go and let others help. This isn’t a one-woman show. There is an entire community that supports this agenda. Use them.”
“I’ll need help.”
She looked up at him, and he smiled at her. “Good thing I’m one of your biggest fans, Ms. Cahill.”
She leaned over and kissed him.
Dezzy sighed dramatically. “Really? In public, guys?”
* * *
The court was ordered to rise as the jury entered. Cam’s eyes stayed on Ian. That bastard looked back at him and licked his lips, and then looked at Destiny. His arm shot around the girl and pulled her to him. Dezzy had been watching the jury enter and not Ian. Thank God. Ian’s counselor said something, drawing the man’s attention back to the front of the courtroom. They sat down, and Mercy leaned into him and whispered, “He’s a sick, sick man.”
He nodded his agreement and squeezed her hand. Dezzy leaned forward in her chair when the judge asked the foreman if the jury had come to a verdict.
The judge put on his reading glasses and asked, “Madam foreperson, have you reached a verdict on count one of the indictments, murder in the first degree?”
“We have your honor.”
“And how did you find?”
“Guilty.”
The conversation continued three more times. All three times, the foreperson stood, staring at the defendant, and repeated the word guilty.
The judge polled the jury to ensure their answer and then thanked and dismissed the jury. After the members filed out, the judge addressed the defense and the prosecution. Ian stood, and the bailiff moved forward to handcuff the son of a bitch. Before he could, Ian turned around and screamed at Mercy. “I was going to kill you the night you ran, you fucking slut. Then I was going to make that one into a woman who would do what I want.”
“Your honor!” Mr. Cain’s voice rang out over the gasps from the gallery. Ian shoved the bailiff and vaulted the three-foot divider between the gallery and the court. Cam moved to the left and positioned himself in front of both women as Ian struggled with the bailiff. Ian's defense moved away as another bailiff joined the fray. Ian lunged toward them, and Cam moved forward, ready to take that bastard down. The bailiff from the back of the gallery sprinted down the aisle, but not before Cam's left hook stopped the bastard in his tracks. The dazed man went down to his knees, and the bailiffs planted him on his face. One restrained him while the other handcuffed him. Ian's vitriol spewed through bloody lips. Cam blocked Destiny's view, but he couldn't do anything about the horrid words the man was saying.
Mercy pushed herself in front of Cam and screamed over Ian's threats, “You’re going to die in jail for your crimes. You’ll never see the outside of that prison. You can’t hurt us anymore, you sadistic son of a bitch.”
The bailiffs lifted Ian to his feet, but the man still lunged forward. Cam moved Mercy, standing as a barrier between the two as the bailiffs subdued the crazed man. Two deputy sheriffs smashed through the side door of the court and joined the fray. Between the five of them, they were able to remove Ian. The judge pounded his gavel repeatedly until the court settled down and was promptly dismissed.
Dezzy stood up, spinning toward her mom. “You cussed.”
Cam blinked. "Out of all that happened, you focused on that?"
Destiny looked at him like he wasn't making sense. "Oh, we've heard all those things before. Ian threatened her all the time."
Cam closed his eyes. The things his women had to endure.
"Did you hurt your hand?" Dezzy asked.
He shook out his hand and flexed his knuckles a couple of times. "He has a hard head."
Dezzy snorted. "Yeah, but he went down hard, didn't he?"
Mercy sighed and took his hand in hers, examining the swollen knuckles. She made eye contact with Destiny. “I did swear. It wasn’t right, but I did."
Her daughter nodded. “Yeah, he is a sadistic son of a bitch, isn’t he?”
“Destiny,” her mother warned her and lifted an eyebrow.
The girl shrugged. “Goose and gander and all that.”
Cam dropped a hand on Destiny’s shoulder. She looked up at him and then rolled her eyes but apologized. “Sorry. But he is.”
“I agree, but we don’t need to say it.” Cam motioned for them to step out into the center aisle. “By the way, I’m taking your mom out to dinner tonight. So you, Bull, and Erik are doing movie night.”
Destiny’s eyes lit up. She had a crush on Bull’s sixteen-year-old son but would never admit it to him, although she’d told her mom. “Oh, okay. Cool.” She played it off, but he glanced at Mercy, who smiled at him.
