Page 60 of Ashes of Us

When Mathers finished cross-examining Sergeant Galvin and David declined to redirect, Judge Perella reminded Mathers to make sure Lucy was there first thing in the morning to take the stand, then recessed the proceedings for the day, sweeping out of the courtroom immediately after.

David told Danica to go home, have a hot bath and relax.

“This will all be over by lunch tomorrow.” He reassured her as they walked out.

“Excuse me, I need to go thank our witnesses for coming today and let them know they don't have to come back tomorrow.” He turned left, heading to the room where the witnesses were sequestered as Emilia, Xavier, and Alex approached her.

Emilia and Xavier gave her huge, tight hugs and told her if she needed anything, to give them a call, but they had to get home to the kids.

Maverick joined them just as Emilia and Xaver left and suggested that they get food and take Watson and Indie to a dog park near Danica and Alex's building.

After Danica picked up Indie, her and Alex met Maverick and Watson at the park, grabbed sandwiches from a nearby food truck and let the dogs play while Alex and Danica filled Maverick in on what happened in the courtroom since he was sequestered with the other witnesses who had been waiting to be called.

Maverick wasn't surprised that David had rested his case after what Alex called “the most poorly put together case in the history of law proceedings and a colossal waste of time.”

“Seriously, it was like it was his first time he went to trial.” Alex shook his head as Maverick chuckled. “If he were my lawyer, I'd refuse to pay him.”

“Eh, I think he did the best he could with what he had.” Danica shrugged, amused by Alex's frustration with Mathers.

“When the people who hired you aren't honest about everything, what are you going to do? He legitimately looked like he was going to projectile vomit all over everyone after he heard the recordings and the Judge demanded that he call Lucy to take the stand tomorrow morning.”

“Didn't he get the transcripts?” Maverick frowned. “Why would the recordings throw him off if he knew what was said in them?”

“Because there is a huge difference between reading them and actually hearing them,” Alex muttered. “Listening to them actually made me sick to my stomach, so I understand the other lawyer's reaction.”

“That bad, huh?” Maverick looked at Danica sympathetically as she nodded and watched as Indie went up to random people to get pets, her tail wagging frantically.

“Yeah, it wasn't fun.” She swallowed and then tried to shake off the heavy feeling that had settled on her when she heard the accident. “But the good news is the judge is making Mathers call Lucy to the stand tomorrow morning, so we get to see how far into crazy she's spiralled.”

“What about Jasper's mother?” Maverick asked curiously as he threw a ball for Watson. “Do you think she's going to admit she was wrong and apologize or double down?”

“I don't see her doing either, to be honest,” Danica admitted.

“I think she'll kick Lucy out and try to pretend none of this ever happened.

I don't know what Cecil or the rest of the family will do, but I'm done with her.

Finding out she was actively trying to convince Jasper I was cheating with Alexander so he would leave me while being sweet and nice to my face.

.. no thanks, I don't want people like her, or anyone who forgives her in my life.”

They walked around for another hour, and then Maverick announced he had to head home.

“I'm heading to Salem tomorrow after court for a couple of weeks to spend some time with Toni.” Grinning, he nudged Danica with his elbow.

“Feel free to come visit the store. Toni, Raven and Jynx would love to meet you.

They've been expecting you to come redeem your gift certificates.”

Danica laughed and nodded. “I'll see if Emilia is up for it this weekend, she's very excited to shop in your sister's boutique.”

“I'm pretty sure Xavier isn't quite as excited about it.” Alex chuckled as he took Indie's leash from Danica and called her back to them. Maverick snorted out a short laugh as he snapped Watson's leash to his collar.

“Their clothes are actually very reasonably priced.

They aren't high-end fashion or anything like that, think bohemian or goth style.” He led Watson to his car and got aboard, honking and waving to them as he drove off.

Danica and Alex started the short walk back to the condo building, discussing what they thought the outcome of Lucy being put on the stand would be.

“It's not like she's going to admit to sexually assaulting him.” Danica frowned as they entered the building and walked to the elevator, nodding at the security guard as they passed his desk.

“She might not admit to sexual assault, but only because she probably doesn't think that's what it was.

She'll insist he wanted her.” Alex's voice was tense.

“The absolute delusion when she got in his car, calling him Jaz and being all happy and excited, like she wasn't trying to blow up his life completely, was stomach churning.”

Danica had to agree but shrugged. “We know she's a few crayons short of a box; it'd be more surprising if she were upset.”

Alex nodded, and they fell into comfortable silence as they rode the elevator up and got off.

At Danica's door, Alex asked if she would be okay, and when she assured him she was fine, he said good night and left her to do her own thing for the evening.

She fed Indie and curled up on the couch, scrolling aimlessly through her streaming apps, trying to find something to watch before settling on a few episodes of Bob's Burgers.

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Danica was up ridiculously early the next morning, so early that she was able to take Indie on an hour-long walk, get in the shower, dress and do her hair, and was on her third cup of coffee before Alex knocked on her door to take her to the courthouse.

“You look like you didn't sleep a wink last night.” Alex folded his arms, studying her face critically as she opened the balcony door for Indie and made sure the magnetic screen curtain she installed so she wouldn't be stuck inside all day waiting for Danica to come let her out to pee.

“I watched the entire first season of Bob's Burgers last night,” Danica admitted, grabbing her thermos of coffee and motioning for him to leave.

“I don't know why, but I really struggled to get to sleep, and I was up at five.” She made sure the door was locked and followed him to the elevator.

It's probably better that you drive today.”

“No kidding,” Alex muttered, shaking his head. “Are you ready for this?”

“I'm ready for it to be over.”

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At the courthouse, they met up with Maverick and Emilia, who explained Xavier couldn't get another day off work. “He's insisting I text him regular updates, though.” Emilia chuckled. “And says he'll be very upset with me if I don't.”

When David arrived a few minutes later, they entered the courtroom and took their seats.

As the clock crept closer to nine, Danica began to wonder if Mathers and Amy were going to show up and started to feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

“What happens if they don't show?” She asked David quietly.

“The case will most likely be dismissed, and bench warrants will be issued for them for failure to appear.” He murmured back.

“Since the Judge specifically ordered Lucy to appear, it would be a horrible idea not to show.” The words had barely left his mouth when Mathers and Amy came in and took their seats with just two minutes to spare.

Glancing over, Danica saw Amy's eyes were red and swollen, and Mathers looked like he was about to explode.

He dropped his briefcase on the table with a loud bang!

And stared straight ahead, not looking at or talking to Amy at all, who looked like she desperately wanted to run away.

“Oh, to be a fly on the wall.” Danica heard Alex's low, amused voice behind her, followed by Emilia's and Maverick's stifled laughter and had to bite her lip so she wouldn't join them.

She desperately wanted to know what happened and was hopeful that Mathers would explain at least a little bit of it before Lucy had to take the stand.

At nine, the clerk told everyone to rise for the honourable Judge Vincint Perella, then called the matter of Preston V. Preston and asked if all parties were present. Mathers took a deep breath and stood up slowly, shaking his head. “Your Honour, Ms. Gamache is not present.”

Danica looked back at the others, feeling her mouth drop open as a shocked murmur rippled through the courtroom, before looking back to see how the Judge was taking the news.

The answer to that was not well. At all.

He leaned back in his seat and stared at the ceiling for a long moment before taking a deep breath and looking back at Mathers.

“She was under subpoena and under my direct order to appear this morning. Why isn't she present?”

Mathers swallowed, but to his credit, he held the Judge's gaze.

“Ms. Gamache was staying with my client, and after hearing the audio yesterday, my client kicked her out. We have not been able to reach her.” Danica exchanged a look with David, who looked gleeful.

Judge Perella looked like he was chewing his tongue in an attempt not to lose his cool completely.

“We'll stand in recess for fifteen minutes.” He said finally.

“If she is not in this courtroom, I will issue a capias for her immediate arrest and proceed without her testimony, and I will take her absence into account when I rule.” He banged his gavel and stood up, leaving the room in a swirl of black robes.

Mathers nodded and all but ran from the courtroom, pulling his phone from his pocket as he did with Amy close behind him. Danica turned around and leaned over the divider, looking at the others in bemusement. “Did anyone have 'Lucy doesn't show' on their bingo card this morning?” she asked quietly.

“I'm somehow both shocked and not surprised at all,” Emilia muttered as she typed on her phone frantically, Alex nodding in agreement, but Maverick shrugged nonchalantly.

“I had a feeling this would happen.” He said, stretching his leg out in front of him. “She runs when she's confronted, remember?”

Before Danica could respond, Mathers and Amy came back in and took their seats, both of them looking resigned to the fact that Lucy would not be showing. The Judge came back a few minutes later, and the clerk called the court back to order.

“Well?” He asked, regarding Mathers over the rim of his glasses, expectantly. “Where is she?”

Mathers cleared his throat and stood up. “It appears she has blocked both me and my client; we were unable to reach her. I would like to file a motion to recess for twenty-four hours to find her.” Danica looked at the Judge, sending a silent plea to the universe that he wouldn't agree.

“The court will not wait.” He finally announced, looking like a thundercloud was sitting on his face as he turned to his clerk.

“Issue the capias.” The clerk nodded and passed a piece of paper over to one of the bailiffs, who then left the room.

Clearing his throat, Perella leaned forward in his chair.

“The petitioners have failed to meet their burden, and the only witness who could address the most serious allegation in this matter has refused to appear.

The respondent's motion to dismiss is granted, effective immediately.”

Danica sat frozen for a second before completely breaking down, half laughing and half crying.

She hadn't really thought the Judge was going to rule in Amy's favour after the shitshow the previous day but having it confirmed lifted the feeling of dread that had settled on her and the relief she felt completely overwhelmed her.

She was vaguely aware of Alex and Maverick congratulating David on his win, and Emilia's arms around her neck as she hugged her tightly.

Before she could thank David and Maverick for all their work on her behalf, the Judge banged his gavel and called for order.

“Furthermore, given the nature of the statements captured on the dash cam and entered into evidence, the court directs that the transcripts and recordings be forwarded to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office for review of potential criminal conduct.” He banged his gavel once and stood up. “Court is dismissed.”

Danica turned to David as the Judge left the room again, grabbing his arm to get his attention as the courtroom erupted into what sounded like a hundred conversations at once. “What does that mean?”

“It means the judge believes Lucy committed a crime, most likely sexual assault of an incapacitated person, and he wants it looked into because that's a felony in Massachusetts.” He smiled at her. “Come on, I think we all need to go get breakfast to celebrate our win.”