I think while talking about Jimmy...this song has a great description for what I'm about to do to him here in this chapter lol  Instead of keeping his dirty laundry he should have lost it.  Not kept it.  Time to drag him through the mud!

I've been waiting for this chapter for some time now, but had dreaded it at the same time lol, everyone else that writes and is reading this, ya'll know!  Writing a chapter that takes lots of build up can be stressful lol

But its here, and I hope you all love it!

let me know what ya think ;) xoxox

~

She was terrified.   I could see it written on her face, but as fast as it had shown it was gone.  Hard determination taking its place. 

"He wont every leave you alone love.  Not until you stand up and shut him down.  Let me help you do it."  Jason's words gave her strength, the grip she had on my hand more firm.

"Alright."  In that moment I saw why I had fallen in love with this woman.  She was a fragile being, but she was firm as steal, and I needed her to be just that in this moment.  I wanted nothing more then to take her into my arms again, but I knew it wasn't the time.

This was it.

The time we made a weeks worth of trial into a days worth.

Squeezing her hand I let it go.  Jason by my side we walked up toward Judge Cordan back inside.  Letting us approach I noticed again how strong the mans calone was.  It hit me hard, threw me off my step, but I quickly recovered.  No use in offending the man.  He wasn't an elderly man, but he was older then me by a good number.  His salt and pepper hair combed over.

"Judge Cordan, I have inculpatory evidence I need to file into the case.  I believe it could bring it to an end much quicker then we had anticipated."  Waving Luis over and up to the stand we discussed the discovery of my new found evidence. The warrant in hand, Luis wasn't happy.  I wasn't sure he knew much about the law and how it worked...but then again...I ran my hand over my rib cage, remembering he wasn't one to play fair either...he wasn't a man of the law.

Taking long strides I went and stood with Jason, who had already started laying out our new found good in files.  The whole time I was sorting things out, and putting my case together I could feel Jimmy's eyes on the back of my skull.

He was finally rattled.

Good.

He thought he could still when because he was cocky, but he also knew who he was dealing with now.

"Caleb Mondragon, who do you with to draw to the stand?"  Standing I straightened my cuff links.

"Harper Johnson, your Honer."  I turned as she stood, and the officer to the side and led her to the stand.  Lifting her right hand she gave the oath, the court room falling silent. 

"I swear that the evidence that I shall give, hall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...so help me god."  As she said as told I could see the sweat bead on her forehead, her eyes looking everywhere but at Jimmy.  I was going to take it light on her.  I just needed her to show her dislike toward the man.

"Ms. Johnson, I know this is difficult, but thank you for your participation." 

"Your welcome."  Her voice cracked so I inched closer to her, leaning against the oak stand I hopped my pressense would help calm her nerve. 

"How have you been?"  My question threw her off, along with many others in the large room.

"Excuse me?"

"I asked, how have you been as of late?"  She chuckled nervously.  I could see her hands twisting under the wood bannester. 

"Horrid."

"And why is that?"

"Objection!  I don't see how this relays to the case."  Luis stood and came forward.  "This isn't some howdy doo." 

"It isn't, believe me.  There are many factures to the case against Jimmy Turner, and Harper Johnson is a key part."  I heard many hushed tones, but when I looked at the Judge, he let me move forward. 

"So why, Ms. Johnson, has it been so horrid?"  I held back from calling her babe.  It was extremely difficult, but I measured my words along with the tone of my voice.

Harper's eye's flickered around the room till they landed on Jimmy.  The first that I had seen her do sense going to the stand.

"My son had been traumatized, almost having been kidnapped.  My barn has burnt to the ground...and Ivory...My horse-may not survive a vicious beating."  She took a deep breath, "and to top it all off, I spent the night in the slammer for punching the son of a bi-"

"Langue." 

"Sorry Judge...the son of a peace, responsible for it all."

"And who is that Ms. Johnson? Can you point him out?"  Without hesitation, and her chin held high Harper pointed to Jimmy who was fuming.

"Jimmy Turner.  My obsessive ex-husband."   The room erupted from the Jury and crowd. Some in protest and some in agreement.  The judge took a moment but then quited the room.

"Do you have evidence to prove this aligastion?"

"No sir, they do not."  I raised a hand, a file now held high.  The tape from last night.

"Part of the Inculpatory evidence I offered after break your honor. Provided by Sheriff Jason Michelle."

"Aloud."  Eyeballing Luis I brought forward a flash drive that held the taps recording of Harper's and Jimmy's cell block.  Handing it over to the officer and then the judge they plugged it in and rolled the projector down.

"This tape was from last night, where Jimmy Turner intentionally locked himself up to get close to Harper."  I wound through to were I wanted to be and hit play.

"Dose it get you Harper?  Knowing that I can get to you? Whenever and where ever you are?"  Harper went over to the bars and just stared at him.  "Why wont you speak to me buttercup?  Too much heat coursing through your body?  Aching for me to touch you? I know I always look for the opportunity."

"We're divorced Jimmy."

"Only on paper."  His eyes were menacing as he hissed threw the bars.  "I own you and everything you do.  Always have.  How do you think I get away with my threats?  I warned you. I own this town." 

He went on about this for a while, but when Ivory came up, I saw Harper sink not only in her cell but where she sat.

"She was brave, bucking us back.  But she is just a stupid horse."

I cut the tap.

There was no sound in the room.  No come back from Luis who was evening looking at Jimmy with narrowed eyes.  Everything was happening in slow motion, but I knew it was only within a couple of moments.

"I go for a Bench Trial."  I said, motioning for Harper to go down.  She almost ran to her seat.  "Trial without jury in which the judge decides facts.  I have everything.  From the abuse and violations against the Johnson's, to the Murder of Olivia. Needles. Taps. And many many other charges to innocent women without a way out."

Jury members stood to leave.  Others sat in shock.  Judge Corden looking between me, Luis, and Jimmy.  And then without warning, Jimmy coming at me with attempt at murder written all over his face. 

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