Betrayal - Fern Michaels [63]
“Let’s grab a sandwich in the cafeteria,” Kate suggested to Alex.
“You’re ready to face the media?”
“I don’t care what they say, report, or write anymore. I want to have lunch with my husband, and, by gosh, that’s what we’re going to do.” Kate picked up her purse and headed toward the exit. She knew Alex would follow her.
Ten minutes later, they both had corned beef on rye, with hot mustard and big, juicy dill pickles. Kate was starving. She hadn’t been this hungry in days. She devoured her sandwich and was about to ask Alex for a bite of his when James found them.
“They’re back. They’ve reached a verdict.” Kate looked at Alex. They’d only deliberated a little more than three hours. She wasn’t sure if this was good or bad.
Alex stood, rubbed his palms across his thighs to brush the crumbs away. “What are we waiting for?”
“Alex, wait.” She needed a minute to . . . to look at him. She wanted to see every hair on his head, the smile lines surrounding his eyes. She’d never forget Alex. Hell, she was being silly and morbid. She took his hand in hers. Closing her eyes, she looked at the marbled gray linoleum. Alex did the same. After she’d finished her silent prayer, she spoke. “Let’s get this over with, Alex, so I can take you home.”
The three walked back to the courtroom without saying a word. There’d be time for that later, when this was over with. Kate would take James to dinner. Hell, she and Alex would spend the rest of the night toasting their success. Yes, they would be fine—Kate felt it in her bones.
The courtroom was packed to the limit. Newspaper reporters had handheld recorders. Court TV had three reporters waiting outside and one in the courtroom. The local news network anchors waited patiently with their cameramen ready to roll.
The jury waited for the judge to be seated. After she adjusted her flowing robe, she put on her half-moon reading glasses. After she signed a few papers, she looked out at the throng of people in her courtroom.
“Before we announce the verdict I want to make myself perfectly clear. I will not tolerate comments of any kind. I will not tolerate any hand clapping, floor stomping, or any type of unruly behavior. For those who feel they will not be able to contain themselves once the verdict is read, now is your opportunity to excuse yourselves.”
Judge Stowers paused for a full minute before she went on, “Since all here are in agreement with the rules of my courtroom, then let’s proceed. Has the jury reached a verdict?”
The jury foreman stood. “Yes, we have, Your Honor.”
“Please hand it to the bailiff.”
The foreman gave a small slip of paper to the bailiff. The bailiff read the verdict silently, then gave the paper to the judge. After she read it, she gave it to her clerk, whose job it was to read the verdict for the record and for the accused.
“Will the defendant please rise,” Judge Stowers said. “The clerk will now read the verdict.”
“The state of Florida versus Alex John Rocket. Case number 112159. You have been charged with six degrees of sexual battery against a minor. Count one, lewd and lascivious behavior. We find the defendant Alex John Rocket guilty as charged. Count two—”
Kate grabbed the rail in front of her for support. They’d found Alex guilty! This was a mistake. She looked at James. He’d lowered his head, afraid to look them in the eye. The clerk continued to read the verdict. Six counts of sexual battery against a minor.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
The good, honest intelligent people of Collier County found Alex guilty on all six counts.
The courtroom exploded with noise. Judge Stowers banged her gavel. “Order, please!”
The noise stopped.
“Alex John Rocket, do you have anything you would like to say to the court before I pronounce your sentence?”
Kate saw Alex’s hands. They were trembling so, she worried he might faint. She might faint. This was a nightmare. Guilty. On all six counts.
Oh no!
“What?