Page 44 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter

Forty-Three

Shiloh:

My designer heels tapped with a purpose on the marble floor as I headed for district courtroom four.

The last time I had stepped foot into this same courtroom was two months ago almost to the date.

I had heard my not guilty verdict and went into labor immediately after.

The last two months had been nothing short of amazing.

It had been a little chaotic but amazing, nonetheless.

The twins were almost two months. Kai was still calm and rarely made noise.

K’nai was the compete opposite. She was demanding and had no problem crying to get what she wanted.

They were night and day, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Rashad and I were doing great. He was the best father to our children that I could have asked for.

When he said he’d take care of his creations, he meant that.

He’d shown up and out every chance he got.

When it came to our relationship, he didn’t play either.

Now in a committed relationship, I hated I had played with the situation as long as I had.

I was jobless and having a hard time finding a job because Arthur’s name carried so much weight in the streets.

The places I’d applied to barely gave my résumé a second look.

If they did entertain me, once they realized the connection, I was dismissed nicely and wished good luck in the near future.

I couldn’t deny it; Arthur had done exactly what he said he would.

Even with that, happiness still consumed me, and I had faith that what was for me was around the corner.

“Shiloh? Hey, Shiloh, wait up.”

I heard my name being called. Stopping, I turned to see Isla power walking my way.

“Hey.” I smiled.

“Oh my gosh, hi.” She sounded breathless while tucking her thick, long tresses behind her ear before adjusting her glasses on her face. “Ready for this?”

When the investigation had started with Rashad’s case, I was served with papers; so was Arthur and William, and today was verdict day for them.

Isla and I both had to testify. Unlike me, Rashad’s case wasn’t the only case they were being investigated for, so many people, incarcerated and not, came forward during the process.

They had some hefty charges against them.

I knew for years they were not good people and were racist, but the things that had come out in court had me shocked I’d ever been connected with such people.

“Absolutely.”

I wasn’t sure what the jurors would say since they had argued and represented themselves so well. In my eyes, they were guilty, but honestly, if I was a member of the jury, I may have voted otherwise. They both were persuasive, which was why the office had a 99 percent conviction rate.

“What do you think will happen?” Isla questioned once we both started walking again.

I shrugged. Once I got my not guilty verdict, I knew I was beyond blessed. I hadn’t done anything per se, but I was guilty by association. Many times, I wondered if they would get a slap on the wrist simply because they were well-known lawyers, and just maybe they’d paid off the right people.

“I am truly hoping not, but at this point, whatever happens will just have to happen. I just pray justice is done and karma shows up and out.”

“Me too. I ju—” Isla was mid-sentence when her words halted, and she seemed to freeze instantly.

Shifting my eyes in the direction of hers, I spotted both Arthur and William headed our way from the opposite end of the courthouse.

They were dressed in cheap polyester suits with their briefcases in hand.

Lauryn was on William’s side, and Arthur’s almost never present wife Rebecca was on his side.

They wore intimidating expressions that didn’t faze me in the least. I couldn’t say the same for Isla as she stood there motionless.

When they passed, I was sure to give them the same expression they’d given me.

My eyes never left them as they walked into the courtroom. Their entourage looked more important than they were.

“Welp, let’s go see what happens.” Hearing Isla had me turning her way. I’d been stuck staring at Arthur and William in disgust.

“After you.” I forced a smile and gestured for her to go first. While I wanted Arthur and

William to be guilty and pay for all the lives they ruined, I was prepared for a not guilty verdict. Guilty or not, I was still blessed because I had already beat my case.

With my legs crossed and my foot bouncing, I fanned myself with papers I’d folded together.

It was hot as hell in the courtroom. Looking to my watch for the tenth time in the last twenty minutes, I groaned at the time.

Court was supposed to start at 8:30 a.m., and it was two minutes before 9:00 a.m. We hadn’t gotten notice on why court had been late; all we could do was wait.

“All rise,” the bailiff finally announced, and every able body in the court room stood, and the room fell silent.

In my head, I heard the music from Judge Judy or Judge Mathis.

I couldn’t determine which one as Judge Fairbanks walked out.

Fairbanks hadn’t been the judge on my case due to the conflict of interest as he was the one that I went to about the misconduct.

Surprisingly enough, he presided over Arthur and William’s case, even though they had argued many cases in front of him.

“Judge Preston Fairbanks proceeding. This court is now in session. You may be seated,” the bailiff spoke loudly seconds after Fairbanks had gotten seated.

Sitting, I looked at Fairbanks. He looked much different than the many times I’d seen him. He looked extremely disappointed.

Pulling his thin glasses from his face, he spoke without looking up. “As you all know, my name is Judge Preston Fairbanks. Today is June 5th, and the time is now…” He checked his watch. “…9:17 a.m.” He sighed. “Bailiff, you can escort the jury into the courtroom.”

With a nod, the bailiff headed to the side door, and moments after, the twelve jurors that had heard arguments from both sides filed into the courtroom.

My eyes perused each of them as they took their seats, I tried my best to decipher each of their expressions. However, they all seemed emotionless.

Once they were seated, Fairbanks finally raised his head and looked directly at them. “Has the jury reached a verdict?”

“We have, Your Honor.” The older gentleman that represented the jury stood and spoke.

“Bailiff, could you hand me that please?” Fairbanks gestured, referring to the paper that stated whether they were guilty or not.

“At this time, ladies and gentlemen, the court will conduct a polling of the jury. I will ask each juror if this is their personal verdict, meaning they have not been persuaded or bribed in any way. I would like for you to respond with ‘Yes, that is my verdict’ or ‘No, that is not my verdict,’ whichever the case might be. Understood?”

They all answered in unison. I didn’t know what was on the paper, but I had a feeling Fairbanks wanted to ensure they all agreed so that nothing could alter whatever the outcome would be.

Calling out numbers in random, Fairbanks asked each juror if they were in agreement or not until he had questioned all twelve.

“Thank you.” He dropped his head to his papers again. “Bailiff, hand this to juror number one, please.” He handed off the paper once again. “Arthur and William Whitlock, please stand.”

In unison they stood. Arthur seemed carefree, placing his hands behind his back and clasping them. I found the gesture ironic as I was hoping that would be his position with cuffs attached. William, on the other hand, seemed like a scared little man. His frame seemed slouched and shaky from behind.

“Juror one, could you please read the verdict, beginning with William Whitlock followed by Arthur Whitlock.” Fairbanks adjusted, leaning back in his chair.

I felt Isla’s small hand grasp mine and squeeze. I knew she wanted a guilty verdict.

“We the jury find the defendant, William Whitlock, on count one of perjury, guilty. On count two of obstruction of justice, guilty. On count three of malicious prosecution, guilty as charged in the indictment.”

The court erupted. Leaning over, I dropped my head, finding myself with tears rolling freely. No other charges mattered. I knew they’d be found guilty of them all as the first charge was the hardest to prove.

“Order! Order in my court room, or all that cannot gather themselves will be held in contempt!” Fairbanks shouted, not even bothering to bang his gavel for the attention. Like a band, the noise ceased instantly. “Juror one, you may continue,” he stated.

Never looking up, I continued crying tears of joy while listening to all of William’s guilty verdicts before they moved on to Arthur and giving him the same verdicts as his son. In addition to William, Arthur had three extra charges with only one of them being dismissed.

“Prosecutors, is there anything you’d like to say?”

“Yes, Your Honor.” A well respected and no-nonsense attorney, Jamie Lackey, stood.

“With Mr. Arthur Whitlock and Mr. William Whitlock being tied to the community and their disregard for a lot of things during this trial, we’re asking that both parties be detained at the county jail until sentencing. ”

“Your honor, with all due respect, my son and I have not given a reason to be detained until sentencing. I respectfully ask that you allow us the time with our families until then,” Arthur spoke up.

“Your Honor, they have manipulated the courts for years, having innocent men and women detained for their personal gain. I am in no way convinced that once they leave this courtroom today that they will not try to flee the country in hope to avoid the sentencing.”

Arthur was about to speak again, but Fairbanks extended his arm, halting his words.

“I am allowing the defendants to go home until sentencing. However, you both will be placed on house arrest, your passports will be handed over, and I am requesting daily check-ins with the courts two times a day.”

“Thank you, Your Honor.” Arthur seemed appreciative, even though he’d just been found guilty on multiple charges and most likely would never see the outside of a prison once sentenced.

After jotting down a few things, Fairbanks looked toward the jury. “I want to thank each of you for your time and services. I know sitting in court for hours and weeks at a time was not easy, so on behalf of this court, I personally say thank you.”

Some nodded and smiled, while some thanked him before saying he was welcome.

“Jurors, you’re dismissed.” He displayed a slight smile of gratitude.

“Arthur and William, your sentencing is set for three weeks from today at 1:00 p.m. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” they spoke in unison, sounding robotic and like the same person.

“You will go to the circuit office to get your monitors before leaving this courthouse today. Bailiff, could you direct them to the right place?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“At this time, this court is adjourned.” He lifted his gavel and banged it before standing and hurrying out of the courtroom.

“That was so damn intense,” Isla spoke beside me.

Looking her way, I pushed the tears from my face. I couldn’t stop them.

“Very,” I spoke just above a whisper. It was over, and my emotions were all over the place about it. Standing, I scooted my way to the end of the bench to exit.

“Guess you got the last laugh after all,” Arthur said, stopping in front of me and preventing me from stepping into the aisle.

“Contrary to your beliefs, I never wanted the last laugh. I actually looked up to you in the beginning and respected you. You made it a competition because you knew I was better than you and your son.” I cut my eyes William’s way.

“It’s rather unfortunate things turned out to be this way.

You made me feel like I wasn’t good enough, and the whole time I was better than both of you because I didn’t need to trump up charges to come out on top. ”

Arthur glared at me in disgust.

I smirked. “So initially, I didn’t need nor want the last laugh.” I laughed like I’d heard the funniest joke of all time. It halted instantly. “But I’m so glad that I got it.”

“It’s still over for you. I may have been found guilty now, but I will appeal, and I will come harder and stronger next time and win.

” He moved a little closer to me. “When I do, I promise I will ensure I make your life a living hell for the shit you pulled.” He tried to sound intimidating, but I wasn’t moved in the least.

My eyes narrowed his way, shifting behind him seconds later to see the bailiff looking our way.

“That’s cute.” I pursed my lips together.

“Your ride’s here.” I nodded towards the bailiff.

“Well, he may not be your ride just yet but go get your new anklet that will go great with the shiny handcuffs you’ll sport in a few weeks.

” I smirked, lingering for a few seconds before turning and walking away with Isla in tow.

Arthur tried to intimidate me as he had in the past, but I knew my worth now and wasn’t afraid of him, so there was nothing he could do. That chapter in my life dealing with him was over.